A new GoFundMe campaign has been launched for Tyson Courtemanche, a teenager who was recently diagnosed with a germinoma tumour.
Germinoma is a rare, soft-tissue tumour that often begins in germ cells — the cells that form eggs or sperm. While uncommon, germinomas are the most frequently diagnosed type of germ cell tumour in the central nervous system.
These tumours can form when germ cells fail to migrate to the reproductive organs during fetal development and instead become trapped in the brain. Fortunately, the chances of recovery are relatively high.
Tyson, 16, lives in Lac La Hache and goes to Peter Skene Ogden Secondary School.
He began experiencing symptoms three months ago. The first sign was a sudden onset of depression, which did not raise immediate concern. A month later, Tyson told his mother he was experiencing blurred vision. Believing the vision issues were a side effect of his depression medication, the family was not alarmed at first.
However, a pathologist noted that Tyson’s eyes appeared healthy and referred him for an MRI. Before the appointment could take place, his vision deteriorated rapidly. He was rushed to the local hospital, where a CT scan revealed a germinoma tumour.
Tyson is currently receiving care at BC Children’s Hospital in Vancouver. The tumour is too large to operate on and is pressing on his optic nerve, resulting in blurred vision. Doctors have begun an aggressive course of radiation and chemotherapy, which started last Monday, in hopes of shrinking the tumour enough to preserve his eyesight.
Tyson’s father, Jake Courtemanche, told The Citizen that the treatment is progressing, but his son will need several months of chemotherapy, with further treatments to take place in Seattle.
This is not the first time the family has faced this type of diagnosis. Tyson’s older brother, Cody, was diagnosed with the same tumour five years ago, raising concerns the condition may be genetic.
Cody has since recovered, although he experienced permanent damage to his vision.
“It might affect [Tyson’s] vision a bit,” Jake said. “I’m not sure if he’ll ever be able to drive. I know our first son—his vision is really bad in one eye and he’s legally blind in that eye. So he can’t drive either.”
Jake added that he is concerned the condition may affect his two younger children in the future.
The GoFundMe campaign was organized by Saldana Bauman, a longtime friend of the family, who said she launched the fundraiser to help ease the financial burden.
“I’ve known Maryanne, Tyson’s mom, for over 30 years. We grew up together. I watched her kids grow up, and I watched her eldest go through the same diagnosis five years ago,” Bauman said.
“The economy is really tough right now — everyone’s struggling. Watching them navigate this with Tyson, while Maryanne is trying to keep everything afloat for the rest of the family, I just couldn’t imagine it. I wanted to do something to help ease the pressure in any way I could.”
Bauman said this second diagnosis has been even harder on the family, due to its severity and the logistics involved.
“With Cody’s tumour, they were able to operate and remove most of it, then treat the rest with radiation and chemo,” she said. “With Tyson’s, it’s substantially larger. There’s a lot more uncertainty. And financially, it’s overwhelming.”
She also noted that during Cody’s treatment, the family lived close to the children’s hospital. Now, based in 100 Mile House, the distance is much more challenging.
“Maryanne’s had to pull away from all of her support,” she said.
Due to the rural location, Maryanne has been staying with Tyson in Vancouver while he receives treatment. The distance—and the cost of travel—has become a major concern.
“The distance is a big issue,” said Jake. “On our last trip, one of our vehicles lost its transmission and the other has engine trouble. I’m in the middle of fixing one so I can head back down again.”
Jake said the funds raised through GoFundMe will go toward gas, food, hotels, vehicle repairs, and other expenses related to Tyson’s treatment and care.
If you would like to donate to Tyson and his family, visit this link.
