Could you be the match? A transplant could cure his rare and life-threatening blood cancer

This time last year, four-year-old Colton Burns from Brookside, N.S., was bubbly and full of energy. He’s a rambunctious boy who loves all things with engines, especially dump trucks and excavators.  

But soon after starting preschool in fall 2022 his health took a scary turn. His parents, Jessica and Stephen Burns were shocked to discover that the intermittent chills and coughs that had started just a couple of weeks earlier were signs of a life-threatening illness.  

“Colton’s blood work showed an abnormality in both his white and red blood cell counts last November, so his doctors conducted additional tests to figure out what was making him sick,” says Jessica. “It wasn’t until the end of March 2023 that we received the devastating diagnosis of juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia.” 

Colton has needed chemotherapy to treat his cancer. He can no longer attend school because of the risk of infection. The only way he can get back to his normal routine and friendships is a stem cell transplant. But so far, no matching stem cell donor has been found. 

“When he feels well enough, he goes out to play in his sandbox, digging holes and making moats,” says Jessica. “It’s hard to believe that he still has a lot of the same energy, even though he misses mingling with his peers at school.” 

Could you be Colton’s lifesaving match? Learn more about stem cell donation, and register if you are between the ages of 17 and 35. You’ll bring hope to Colton and his family, as well as to hundreds of other Canadians who are also waiting for a match. The more donors who join our registry, the more lives can be saved.  

By registering today, you won’t just make a difference. You’ll make all the difference.