Help Tristan Beat Leukemia
Goal:
USD $75,000
Raised:
USD $25,584
Campaign funds will be received by Loryn Bakker
Help Tristan Beat Leukemia
The Bakker family vacation was meant to be an adventure. They had planned for months, anticipating the laughter and joy of exploring Europe as a family of four. But life had different plans. During their holiday, their spirited 4-year-old son, Tristan, fell ill. What they thought was a simple fever turned into a nightmare when doctors diagnosed him with leukemia.
Their world turned upside down in an instant. Instead of sunshine and relaxation, they faced hospitals and endless tests. The doctors recommended immediate and intensive treatment, the best of which was available abroad. So, with heavy hearts but fierce determination, the Bakker’s relocated to the Netherlands, hoping to give Tristan the best chance at survival.
The treatment plan spans two long years, with countless chemotherapy sessions, hospital stays, and medical bills. They now face the harsh reality of supporting their family while ensuring Tristan gets the care he desperately needs. Their home is now a small apartment near the hospital, far from the life they knew, but closer to the hope they cling to every day.
The Bakker’s are reaching out to their community, friends, and kind-hearted strangers, to help them navigate this challenging journey. Your support will directly impact their ability to cover living expenses, medical costs, and the specialized care Tristan requires. Every donation, no matter the size, brings them one step closer to seeing their little boy healthy and full of life again.
Tristan’s laughter and energy are irreplaceable treasures they long to hear and see every day. Your generosity will help them focus on what truly matters: supporting Tristan through his treatment and being together as a family. They believe in the power of hope, love, and community, and invite you to be a part of Tristan’s fight against leukemia.
Thank you for your kindness, your prayers, and your support. Together, we can help Tristan win this battle and return home to the life they've all dreamed of.
Recent Donations
My heart goes out to you.
My heart goes out to you.
My heart goes out to you.
My heart goes out to you.
Praying for your precious family and little Tristan!
My heart goes out to you.
We are praying the Lord’s peace over his sweet body and peace over each of your hearts. The Lord is so faithful and is carrying your family and holding you all close.
Sending Tristan lots of love from Oceanside. And Parker says “hi Tristan!”
GiveSendGo is pleased to give back to this campaign chosen by our GiveBack promo winner, Morgan Nicholson: We love you Bakker family! The best is yet to come. Love, the Nicholsons
We met once and we were amazed by Tristan's energy and kindness. We are sending good vibes to this little warrior.
My heart goes out to you.
Much love to you and your family with daily healing prayers.
Love you guys so much. Praying and standing with you and calling down all of heaven to come and fight on your behalf in miraculous ways.
Prayers to you all during this difficult time
Praying for healing 🙏🏻 Much love!
Updates
Update #1 (Aug 2024)
August 22nd, 2024
First off, we want to thank you all for your financial support.** Your generosity has enabled us to buy a car, pay for Steven's flights to California and empty our home, get bicycles (we're in the Netherlands after all), cover living expenses while Steven took a break from work, and consult with a Naturopathic Oncologist in the US to help boost Tristan's health.
Since Tristan's diagnosis almost 2.5 months ago, we have moved into a small vacation home on a local bungalow park. We live in the woods, and 10 minutes away from Steven's parents and his older brother. Having our family this close by has been an enormous blessing! It's taken us quite a while to adjust, and we still haven't fully found our new routines yet. Steven has recently started working again and is going to keep his Marketing consulting business running from a desk in Tristan's bedroom. The house has a small kitchen, but Loryn has stocked it with all the spices, ingredients, bowls, and jars needed to make the stellar food we're so spoiled with.
Treatment is going to take 2 years, so we have quite a journey ahead of us. The first 2 months have been pretty rough with intense hospital schedules, medication starting to take its toll on Tristan (weight gain, hair loss, intense mood swings, muscle atrophy, etc.), and many broken nights. Thankfully, Tristan WILL get through this, and the doctors have told us it is very curable. We hold on to that hope!
Throughout all of this, the amount of generosity we have received has been overwhelming! A local roaster is giving us free coffee beans, a butcher gave us free organ meat, we've been given furniture, the Ambulance service that rushed us to the hospital waived their bill, someone who owns a car shop offered free maintenance on our car, and then there's clothing, groceries, kids' toys, meals, and LOADS of gifts for Tristan!
The timing of Tristan's symptoms arising while we were in Europe is divine. He is being treated in one of Europe's top clinics for Pediatric Oncology and because he is a Dutch citizen, healthcare is completely free!
We mourn the loss of our life in California and feel 'shaky' at times, not knowing what life will be like two years from now. We have no idea whether we'll stay in Europe or move back to the US. Despite all the questions and uncertainty, we believe that God is in this storm with us, and that we will come out of this better and stronger.
We're beyond grateful for all your love, support, and generosity!
The Bakkers
(The picture is from Steven's brother Frank's birthday party in August)
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