This week, Noah Charbonneau will celebrate his eighth birthday.
The Pope Francis Elementary School student won’t be at school with his Grade 2 classmates, though.
Instead, he’s at home recovering from his second surgery in the past year.
Last month, he had a procedure done in Ottawa to try and create a valve to stop the urine reflux.
Noah’s mom, Amanda Poulin, explained they won’t know if the surgery worked until May.
“If this surgery is successful, they’re hoping it’s going to stop the reflux, which will stop further damage to the kidneys, but depending how far the damage is he may end up needing a transplant,” she said.
Noah has been sick for about five years.
He has posterior urethral valves, vesicoureteric reflux, and acute kidney failure.
Poulin said his left kidney has no function.
“The right one is doing the work for both, but because the reflux has killed the left one it’s now starting to go after the right,” she explained.
For more than a year, the family has been regularly travelling to the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) in Ottawa for doctors’ appointments.
Those trips, which take place every six to eight weeks, are expected to be ongoing for at least another two years.
While the hotel and travel costs for Noah and Poulin are covered, it’s extra for her husband and other son to accompany them.
When Jessica Palubiskie heard about the family’s story, she wanted to help.
Saturday, June 1 the Fundraiser for Noah Charbonneau is being held at The Victory Tavern downtown Timmins.
Three bands, including Coldwater, are confirmed so far.
“Having my own experiences with being sick, and the great support I get with the Hoe Down for Epilepsy, I know how important it is and how good it feels to get the help and to know you have support by other people and that you’re not alone,” said Palubiskie, who works at The Vic.
“This family has been through so much and the little bit anybody could, do including myself, is very important, and needed.”
The community’s support is a huge help for the family.
“The one that they did for Rocktober helped us to fix our car ‘cause our car is the biggest thing, we need to get there,” said Poulin.
She said the support has been amazing.
“It’s actually overwhelming. You don’t realize how much help is out there until you see it,” she said.
Last week, she also met with Timmins-James Bay MP Charlie Angus.
While Noah was a little shy around the company in his house, Poulin shared his story.
Some days are better than others.
“If he’s feeling crappy because of the reflux, he’s really down and quiet. What really killed me a couple weeks ago...he asked Siri why am I always sick? And it just broke my heart,” she said.
Tickets for the fundraiser are $10 and available at bar starting April 23.
A GoFundMe has also been set up to help with the ongoing travel costs. You can donate to that here.
