Parents: Diane and Theo Schelhaas 
Siblings: Jeremy and Danielle
Grandparents: Elco and Ann Wiersma; John and Rieka Schelhaas
Birthday and Age: December 18, 1998  -  6 ½ years old        
Home: Strathroy, ON.
School Info: Brandon is going into Grade 2 at Strathroy Community Christian School.           

Story:
Brandon was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (A.L.L.) on April 23, 2001 when he was just over 2 years old. Brandon was admitted to the hospital on April 8 (Diane’s (Mom) birthday). His sister Danielle was born on April 10, 2001…and 13 days later Brandon was diagnosed with Leukemia. His first treatment was April 25, 2001 and his last chemo treatment was on June 21, 2004 (3 years and 2 months later).

Throughout his treatment, Brandon would have good spells and bad spells. He spent many days in the hospital because of fevers and other problems. He was constantly fighting a bad cough, and developed pneumonia often. One time, he was in the hospital for 15 days straight and he could not see his brother or sister due to the SARS restrictions. He remembers those days because he was homesick to see his siblings. Throughout his treatments, he always remained our “Sweet Brave Boy”, fighting the infections, pneumonia and cancer like a trooper. He wasn’t able to enjoy his Wish Trip, granted by the Make a Wish Foundation, until he had completed his treatments, and that trip was to be our way of celebrating the end of his treatments.

This past spring, we were whisked off to Florida to enjoy the sights and sounds of Disney World. Brandon kept saying, “I’m glad I chose this wish!” It was a wonderful way to spend some quality time together as a family, without having to worry about bloodcounts, fevers and chemo. We hope and pray that we will not have to walk down this road again.

Favorites:       

• Color: Red
• Number: 7
• Nick/pet names: Our Sweet, Brave Boy
• Hospital staff: Dr. M. Leaker, Barb Dagelman, and his most favourite nurse Cathy Wilson!!
  
• Camp Trillum staff: Tyler, Krista, Matt, Rachel
• Teacher: Mrs. Dykstra
• Treatment friends: Brennan Howe, Jonathan Hodge
• Friends: Jesse, Griffin, Jake, Reuben, Matthew
• Events / moments –  Family Camp at Rainbow Lake (Camp Trillium), camping with my family, going to Florida with my family in March for my Wish Trip!, My “Happy No More Chemo Cake” at Camp Trillium
• Songs– Oh Canada, Stand on the Rock, Songs by Shania Twain
• Past time/interests: Reading, swimming, biking, playing soccer, playing Nintendo, playing Gameboy
• Traits: Shy, cautious, quick learner, infectious laugh/giggle, beautiful smile, loves to collect things (bottlecaps, Pokemon cards)
• Books/cartoons: Spongebob Square Pants, Yu Gi Oh, Teen Titans, Magic Tree House books, The Littles (books), Brandon loves all  books!
  

Child’s Wish (and Dreams for the Future):                                                                                          
Brandon wishes that no one will ever have to have cancer and go through what he and all the other kids have to go through to get better. He wishes that no one will have to have so many pokes or spend so much time in the hospital or have to stay away from school or friends because the sick person is still feeling sick.

He also wishes and dreams of the day when he will be able to go back to Florida to Disney World.

Mom and Dad’s Wish and Dreams for the future:
We hope and pray that our family will stay healthy and happy in the future. We hope that a cure will be found so that no one will have to suffer any more. We hope that those who are on treatment will have the strength to fight and win their battle too.

Mom & Dad’s Comments:
We, Diane and Theo, are thankful and grateful that Brandon’s chemo treatments are complete. We can see that Brandon is getting stronger each and every day as he is willing and able to do more things with confidence. We are also very thankful for all those who have helped and supported our family during this journey. Brandon looks and acts like a typical 6 year old boy, and looks forward to a bright future!