Image supplied by Tanna Fleming / Pictured: Tanna with her 16-year-old son, Ethan Fleming, who has been battling cancer since he was seven years old.

By Laurice Gomes

Chilliwack Teen

Chilliwack teen determined to attend first day of school, despite battling cancer

Sep 4, 2022 | 5:45 PM

UPDATE: It is with profound sadness we share that Ethan Fleming passed away early Friday morning.

CHILLIWACK — Like most teenagers, 16-year-old Ethan Fleming is looking forward to the first day of school coming up this week—reconnecting with friends, a clean slate for a brand-new school year, and endless possibilities.

Unfortunately, the Chilliwack teen will have to work hard to attend the first day of classes as he is currently battling cancer.

Tanna Fleming said her son has been fighting three types of cancer from a very young age—osteosarcoma since the age of seven, myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) at the age of 14, and acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) when he turned 16 years old.

“He’s been fighting for the last nine years,” said Tanna. “He’s gotten cancer in elementary school, middle school, and high school.”

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Ethan had his leg amputated when he was only seven years old and now uses a prosthetic leg to help with his mobility.

Image supplied by Tanna Fleming / Ethan has his own YouTube channel.

Ethan is going into grade 11 at Imagine High Integrated Arts and Technology Secondary School, and despite spending his summer in the hospital, he is committed to walking the school hallways come Sept. 7.

“It’s just so emotional because he’s just fighting so hard just to get to school and just loves his school so much,” mom said through tears. “Yesterday he said, ‘Mom, I have to fight so hard just to go to school for a half day’.”

The teen is currently in the oncology ward at the B.C. Children’s Hospital, and even with his vital signs stable, there is still plenty of work to be done.

“He’s literally receiving platelets as we speak, and he’ll be undergoing a blood transfusion as well,” Tanna said. “Fingers crossed, if everything goes well, dad will be coming to pick us up so we can go to school for the first day.”

Tanna mentioned that family and friends had organized a bake sale on Sunday for Ethan, to help with expenses. She expressed that her son often feels isolated and misses his friends tremendously, so gestures like this provide a lot of emotional support.

Image supplied by Tanna Fleming.

Ethan has his own gaming YouTube channel, which mom noted he is very passionate about. She proudly described her son as someone with a wonderful sense of humour, “super” kind, and very direct.

“But sometimes he feels hopeless,” she said. “His friends are getting driver’s licenses, getting jobs, having girlfriends.”

At the end of the day, Ethan’s family—dad Walter, his sister Rebecca, and mom Tanna—only wish for him to be a happy and healthy teenager.

Overcome with emotion, Tanna sobbed, “We realize that this is something that is probably going to take our boy from us, but we just want him to just enjoy the time that he has here.”

People who would like to send Ethan letters, cards, or words of encouragement can send them to: 109-9186 Edwards Street, Chilliwack, B.C. V2P 7X6 or can email mom at Tanna_fleming@hotmail.com.

Image supplied by Tanna Fleming / Ethan at seven years old, when he was first diagnosed with osteosarcoma.