Toronto Maple Leafs join Team Blake

Dion Phaneuf, Phil Kessle, James Van Reimsdyk and David Clarkson with Blake Crawford, citizen of M'Chigeeng First Nation.
Dion Phaneuf, Phil Kessel, James Van Reimsdyk and David Clarkson with Blake Crawford, citizen of M’Chigeeng First Nation.

By Kelly Crawford

SUDBURY – Crawford’s dream of meeting with Toronto Maple Leaf players came true as fundraising efforts continue to support his fight against cancer.

5 year old Blake Crawford was recently diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.

“My favourite part about going to the Leafs game was getting to meet all the players, and getting a tour of Sportsnet. They signed my Toronto Maple Leaf jersey and I got to take my picture with them,” shared Blake Crawford. Crawford met Toronto Maple Leaf players James Reimer, Phil Kessel, Dion Phaneuf, and David Clarkson at a game on November 9.

Blake was diagnosed with Leukemia on September 15th 2014. The following day they confirmed he has Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). “Blake was sick for over a month with several stomach pains. After many visits to Espanola General Hospital, they finally sent him to Sudbury. Blake was admitted for four days where they couldn’t find what was wrong with him and sent him home. Blake was home for only a day before I returned right back to the hospital in Espanola, where they did an x-ray, ultra sound and sent him home. Right after that I drove to Little Current where our family doctor was working in emergency. She ordered blood work for him right away, and the blood work came back very alarming. She didn’t waste any time and rushed Blake to Sudbury right away. Sudbury air lifted him to Ottawa, where everything was confirmed and our journey began,” explained Kayli (Bond) and Beau Crawford.

This journey includes remaining at Ottawa Sick Kids for the next 9-12 months while Blake receives treatment. The overall process will be 3.5 years.

Haileigh Crawford is his biggest fan, “Blake is my baby brother. He’s a tough little boy and is so brave. I miss my Mommy, Daddy and Blake while they are far away in Ottawa. I get to come visit them often. I can’t wait until he is feeling better and can move back home.”

The family has had the support of family and friends of Team Blake through various fundraisers.

“Team Blake put on a fundraiser dance for us. They sold Toronto Maple Leafs tickets as well. Our hockey team has been selling Team Blake helmet stickers. Elite training in Espanola did a fundraiser workout on behalf of Blake. My cousin Brooke is raising $500 in support of Blake, where she will then cut her hair off and donate to Locks of Love. Haileigh and Blake’s school, Sacred Heart, does a new fundraiser each month for Blake,” said Kayli.

Family in M’Chigeeng First Nation hosted a community bingo and will be having a fundraising night at Boston Pizza in Sudbury on November 26, 2014 between 5 – 8pm.

“He’s extremely brave and takes everything on with a smile on his face. We’ve hit a lot of bumps in our road, and everything possible that could go wrong, has gone wrong…but were still fighting this together.”

To donate and support Blake’s journey please visit http://www.gofundme.com/f6psxc