Huntre Allard talks with a teacher on February 11, 2019. Photo by Mark Brown/Blackburn News.Huntre Allard talks with a teacher on February 11, 2019. Photo by Mark Brown/Blackburn News.
Windsor

Young cancer patient enters new stage of his fight

A courageous Windsor boy is entering the most difficult stage of his journey.

Huntre Allard, 9, has been battling a rare, incurable brain cancer known as grade-four glioblastoma for over a year, but according to various sources, his condition has worsened and he is in hospice care.

The Windsor-Essex Catholic District School Board confirmed via Twitter that Huntre is in hospice. Huntre is a student at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Elementary School.

"Please keep OLPH student Huntre Allard in your prayers," read the tweet. "Although he returned to school earlier this year, his condition has worsened and he has entered hospice. Please pray for Huntre's family as they go through this difficult part of his journey."

A GoFundMe page was set up to help cover treatment and travel expenses for Huntre's fight. According to an update posted to that page in June, Hunter suffered a setback and the family was weighing treatment options at that time.

Huntre received a hero's welcome in February when he returned to classes at OLPH, though only on a part-time basis as his health allowed. The entire student body and staff greeted Huntre and his mother, Lisa Aylesworth on a cold morning to escort him back to his classroom.

Aylesworth told reporters at the time that Huntre had been looking forward to returning to class.

“He’s a miracle. Our prayer’s due,” said Aylesworth. “We’re still not out of the woods but for right now, we’ll take it, right? We’ll take it.”

A magnificent outpouring of support for Huntre and his family has come from the Windsor-Essex community. A large fundraiser was held in March in Windsor to help with treatment expenses. The GoFundMe page, begun last November, has almost reached its goal of $20,000.

Blackburn News has reached out to Huntre's family for an update on his fight.

Huntre Allard reads a card as he is surrounded by Grade 4 classmates at Our Lady of Perpetual Help School in Windsor, February 11, 2019. Photo by Mark Brown/Blackburn News.Huntre Allard reads a card as he is surrounded by Grade 4 classmates at Our Lady of Perpetual Help School in Windsor, February 11, 2019. Photo by Mark Brown/Blackburn News.

Students at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Elementary School in Windsor hold up a welcome banner for Huntre Allard on February 11, 2019. Photo by Mark Brown/Blackburn News.Students at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Elementary School in Windsor hold up a welcome banner for Huntre Allard on February 11, 2019. Photo by Mark Brown/Blackburn News.

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