Ontario teen with brain cancer heading to Florida to access treatment unavailable in Canada

A 17-year-old teenager from London, Ont., Hailey Merrylees, has been diagnosed with germinoma, the most common form of brain tumour. After undergoing three rounds of chemotherapy, she now requires proton beam therapy, a cutting-edge form of radiation treatment that is not yet available in Canada. Hailey and her family will have to travel to the University of Florida in March to receive this specialized treatment.

According to Hailey’s grandfather, Bill Merrylees, the doctors are hopeful that she can be cured with this therapy, rather than just extending her life. The treatment will last for at least four weeks and will be covered by the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP). However, the family will have to bear the costs of travel, living accommodations, and meals during their stay in the U.S.

Proton radiation therapy is known to be more precise in targeting cancer cells and avoiding damage to healthy tissues. Dr. David Kirsch from Princess Margaret Cancer Centre explained that the high costs associated with building proton beam radiation facilities have been a barrier to its availability in Canada. However, the therapy’s benefits justify the costs, especially for children with brain tumours, where sparing normal brain tissues is crucial.

Hailey, a Grade 12 student and competitive dancer, has been accepted to King’s University College to pursue her dream of becoming a teacher. Despite the challenges she has faced during her treatment, she has remained positive and strong throughout the process.

The community has shown overwhelming support for Hailey and her family, who have launched a GoFundMe campaign to cover the expenses of her treatment in Florida. This support has been essential as travelling for cancer treatment can disrupt families’ lives and create additional financial and psychological stress.

Efforts are underway to establish Canada’s first-ever particle therapy centre in Toronto, which would offer proton beam therapy to all Ontarians and cancer patients across the country. The project has received a planning grant of $5 million and is awaiting approval for the total project cost of $1.7 billion. This facility would provide access to advanced radiation therapy options within Canada, reducing the need for patients to travel abroad for treatment.