Cari and Mike Comboye received news this month no parent wants: their young child has an inoperable, potentially life-ending brain tumor.

The Sooke couple are with their three-year-old son Liam at BC ChildrenB次元官网网址檚 Hospital in Vancouver as their family and friends rally around them for support. CariB次元官网网址檚 sister Lindsay Walper says the couple is just devastated by the diagnosis, as is the rest of their extended family.

Walper, a long-time nurse at the Saanich Peninsula Hospital in Central Saanich, said Liam had been having balance issues and what his parents thought was a lazy eye, for a few days. When he wasnB次元官网网址檛 getting better, Cari took him to Victoria General Hospital on April 9. On initial observation, Walper said Cari was told by a doctor that Liam might have a virus, possibly affecting his optic nerve. Liam was scheduled for an MRI scan the following day.

Walper said due to his age, Liam had to be sedated for the test, but experienced both a breathing and heart rate emergency and both he and Cari were flown to ChildrensB次元官网网址� Hospital in Vancouver to be stabilized. Afterwards, the MRI test was completed.

B次元官网网址淵ou never think your child has cancer,B次元官网网址� Walper said.

Liam was diagnosed with malignant glioma B次元官网网址� a brain tumour thatB次元官网网址檚 inoperable and almost always fatal. For the family, it was the worst news possible. Walper said doctors told the family Liam has anywhere from nine months to more than a year left.

B次元官网网址淭hey got the news no parent should ever have to get,B次元官网网址� she said.

Cari, who was already on maternity leave to care for their second son, Brody, five months old, was joined by her husband Mike who is taking time off work to be in Vancouver with his family. Walper said his co-workers pitched in some of their vacation days so he could be with his family.

Friends have also begun raising money for the family to help support them while theyB次元官网网址檙e with Liam in hospital. ThereB次元官网网址檚 a set up by Walper with a goal of $50,000. ItB次元官网网址檚 reached just over $16,000 already.

A friend in North Saanich is hosting a silent auction fundraiser on June 4 at a home on Tanager Road.

Walper added a few bottle depots in Greater Victoria are also collecting donations for the family.

The donations will help ensure the family can stay with Liam in Vancouver during his initial radiation and chemotherapy treatment. Walper said he will undergo the treatment for five days a week for six weeks. Following the initial round, and depending on how he responds, he might be able to go home. Treatment, however, will continue for weeks.

Walper said it was a hard decision for Cari and Mike, who did not want Liam to suffer and have a good quality of life. Walper said sheB次元官网网址檚 grateful for their decision, as the family can spend more time with Liam.

She added the family is grateful for peopleB次元官网网址檚 support as they care for their son.

B次元官网网址淎nd Liam, heB次元官网网址檚 B次元官网网址� all things considered, heB次元官网网址檚 three B次元官网网址� he doesnB次元官网网址檛 know whatB次元官网网址檚 happening,B次元官网网址� Walper said, adding the family is with him to help ensure heB次元官网网址檚 as comfortable as possible.