Heading back to school will be different for a Williams Lake boy undergoing treatments for leukemia in Vancouver.
Duncan Eckert, 6, has been staying at Ronald McDonald House (RMH) with his family — dad Brandon, mom Kelli and sister Chelley — since June 14, 2024, when he was diagnosed.
He and his sister will be accessing the in-house education program offered at RMH .
Leading up to June, Duncan had been in and out of the hospital frequently.
He was having major leg pains and night sweats and could barely walk sometimes, Kelli said.
"Thankfully the ER doctor we saw one time recommended us to a pediatrician in town. She was very on top of it, doing tests, and advocating very hard for Duncan. That's what led us here."
On June 13, 2024, Duncan and his family travelled to Vancouver for a doctor's appointment.
The next day, they received his leukemia diagnosis.
"Treatments started four or five days after that and he got his first dose of chemo," Kelli recalled.
At the beginning, Duncan was staying at Children's Hospital so Kelli and Brandon took turns being with him at the hospital or with Chelley back at RMH.
His treatments will last another six months and the Eckerts will travel back and forth to Williams Lake for some of that time because the treatments will be spaced out.
During that time he will do his school work with his mom or with the teacher at RMH.
Last year Duncan attended Cataline Elementary School in Williams Lake.
Before the school year ended he left for Vancouver so he missed some final year-end trips and his graduation.
His teacher, Rya Enns, did not want him to miss out.
"Rya was amazing," Kelli said. "She'd make sure the class would Facetime with Duncan once or twice a week so he was still involved with his class."
For the Kindergarten graduation, Enns brought him in on a video call and presented him with his awards and certificate.
"She's a pretty special person in our lives," Kelli said of Enns.
Cataline has offered them a lot of support as well with school work.
"He's been doing amazing," said Kelli of Duncan's treatments. "Honestly, if you didn't know that he had leukemia, you'd have no idea."
On the days he goes to the hospital to receive his chemo, when he returns to RMH he immediately wants to go outside and play hockey.
So far he has not lost any hair from the treatments, even though he has been told to expect that, Kelli said.
"He won't let me cut his hair, he just wants it to be there and see if it falls out or not."
Grateful for all the support and help they have received, including an online auction that raised $54,000, Kelli suggested the word "thank you" will never be enough.
"The community has definitely stepped up for us, more than we could have ever asked for or imagined."
Duncan, through a message delivered by his mom, said he misses his family and friends, but RMH helps with being away from everyone.
"It's nice here," he said, adding he likes all the activities, especially education, art and getting to play hockey.
With September being Childhood Cancer Awareness month, Kelli encouraged anyone if they are inclined to donate toward agencies that help families with children going through cancer treatments like Duncan.
"Ronald McDonald House, obviously, has helped us tremendously," Kelli said, noting Children's Hospital has also been wonderful.
RMH has expanded its education program, which costs about $45,000 a year to run, and is seeking donations.
After the interview with Black Press, Kelli, Duncan and Chelley were attending a party for all the children with August birthdays staying at RMH.
"It's nice for Duncan to see he's not alone and there are other kids going through what he's going through," Kelli said.
She noted they have been taking things day by day, never knowing what the next day will bring.
"We are all in it together and I am just thankful that the four of us for the most part can be down here together."
