This year, a brave little boy and his caretakers had an extraordinarily sweet Valentine's Day.
4-year-old Jackson Twain has received over 100 Valentines while undergoing cancer treatment in Toronto.
Jackson's aunt and caretaker Randi-Leigh Pomerleau says that the Valentines have been "wonderful," especially while staying at the Ronald Mcdonald House away from Jacksons' parents and siblings in Sudbury.
Randi-Leigh Pomerleau
"It helps us therapeutically, in a way," says Pomerleau.
Jackson has radiation treatment every day on weekdays and what motivates and encourages him to attend is checking the mail afterwards.
"He still has something to look forward to daily, despite having to be sometimes up to nine hours in a hospital."
Jackson's grandmother Brenda Lacourciere placed a callout on his Facebook group for Valentine's Day cards on February 2, and cards, toys and other goodies from strangers, friends and family began pouring in.
According to Pomerleau, Jackson says his favourite Valentine so far has been from his nurse back home, who he refers to as his "girlfriend."
Although it's not just his community that he's received support from, Pomerleau says they received mail from a stranger in Washington DC.
Jackson's diagnosis & journey
In August 2021, Jackson was diagnosed with "a malignant rhabdoid sarcoma," a soft tissue tumour in his spine with a "low survival rate." He has been fighting the battle against his tumour, which he named "George" ever since.
In January, less than a week after his mother gave birth to his baby sister, Jackson needed to receive seven weeks of treatment in Toronto, and due to various factors, his parents decided to stay home.
So Jackson's aunt and grandmother stepped in to help out.
"Jackson's four, so for him to be missing them so much it's very difficult," said Pomerleau. "But Jackson has been improving very, very well, so every effort that we're making is obviously worth it."
Anyone looking to send Jackson mail still can at "C/o Ronald McDonald House, 240 McCaul Street, Toronto, Ontario."
They raised over $5,000 from a GoFundMe page that has been set up for Jackson to help finance a visit from his parents, other medical supplies and resources.