Image: GoFundMe / Azaryah Hope, the 3-year-old boy who nearly drowned on June 1 at Cultus Lake, will be heading to the US with his parents, Cam and Natalie (pictured), to seek hyperbaric oxygen therapy treatment. According to Azaryah's great aunt, Azaryah will go to New Orleans where he will receive in-depth oxygen therapy sessions over a 3-month period. This particular clinic in Louisiana specializes in treating young children who have drowned and proven success with the child regaining normal brain function, allowing the child to live a healthy, active life. 

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Azaryah Hope

Young boy who survived near-drowning at Cultus Lake is heading to US for treatment

Jun 26, 2023 | 8:54 AM

CHILLIWACK — The 3-year-old Cultus Lake boy who nearly drowned at Cultus Lake on June 1 is heading to the US to seek additional medical treatment.

In an online update posted this past week, Azaryah Hope’s great aunt Jenni McGrew says he will be leaving for the United States with his mom and dad, Natalie and Cam Hope.

“Azaryah will be going on an adventure to the USA with his mom and dad shortly! He will be receiving intense oxygen treatment for his body (more specifically brain). It’s called hyperbaric oxygen therapy. There’s a doctor in Louisiana who specializes in helping drowning victims. This doctor has seen great results with this treatment. Unfortunately, this level of HBOT is not offered in Canada.”

McGrew said the family has been seeking out a nurse who can travel with the family. While leads are looking promising, she invites people to reach out to her with suggestions. “Don’t hesitate to continue to send suggestions in. We value it all,” McGrew said in her Instagram post.

The hyperbaric oxygen therapy treatment is expected to last 2-3 months in the US, McGrew said in her Instagram post.

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“Having said that you can imagine this is not free nor cheap. If you could help share the go-fund me link (in my bio) they would be grateful,” McGrew said.

Azaryah’s other great aunt, Kristin Harrison, noted on Facebook Sunday night (June 25) that ‘Ryah is very much awake, breathing, swallowing and smiling on his own.

“He is getting ready to head to New Orleans where he will receive in-depth oxygen therapy sessions over a 3-month period,” Harrison said. “This particular clinic specializes in treating young children who have drowned and proven success with the child regaining normal brain function, allowing the child to live a healthy, active life.”

A GoFundMe campaign continues to raise money to assist the family with ongoing expenses. The GoFundMe link can be found here.

McGrew has also shared more details about the night of the near-drowning on Thursday, June 1. The Cultus Lake Fire Department had been conducting a training exercise at Cultus Lake main beach when Azaryah nearly drowned.

“We are so grateful for every first responder who was present in those critical moments for Azaryah,” McGrew said. “The night of the accident, the Cultus Lake Fire Dept just “happened” to be doing a training exercise at Main Beach. Thank you Cultus Lake Fire Dept and thank you Chilliwack RCMP. You were all there and very present. Our family will ever be grateful for this and you.”

McGrew acknowledged the work of Cultus Lake Fire Department captain Shane Taylor and former Cultus Lake Fire Chief, Glen Charles.

“This is Captain Shane Taylor,” McGrew said in her Instagram post standing next to Shane Taylor. “He was very instrumental in those critical moments giving Azaryah CPR right after his mama pulled him out of the water. Thank you, Shane. A special thank you to Glen Charles (former Fire Chief of CLFD) for all your care to check in with the family during these past weeks.”