Let’s help cheer on “Team Braxton”!
By Joan Janzen
Braxton McIntyre’s story began when he and his twin sister were born at 29 weeks in July 2018. Braxton was born with few neutrophils, a type of white blood cell, which causes him to get sick very easily.
Braxton’s mom, Raeanne McIntyre, grew up in Eatonia. Her parents Joanne and Dale Bredy, own Bredy’s Country Store in Eatonia. Now, she and her husband and four children live in Battleford, Sask. Their connection with the folks in Eatonia led to plans being formed for a “Benefit for the McIntyres” on October 27.
A “Benefit for the McIntyres” is being held at Eatonia on October 27 for Braxton and his family. Submitted
Cora Knuttila from Eatonia said, “While contemplating what we could do from an Eatonia point of view, I contacted Susan Theaker to see if she would help me organize something, and from there, The McIntyre Benefit evening was planned. Mitch Larock is providing music and donating his time and talents. We have some great items up for auction.” There will also be a potluck meal and appetizers.
After being poked thousands of times, having transfusions, general anesthetic and undergoing lots of tests, scans and ultrasounds, Braxton still doesn’t have an official diagnosis. Consequently, he (and his mother) have spent up to 272 days at a time at Saskatchewan’s Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital (JPCH).
This past summer, the youngster spent almost a month in Saskatoon before spending six weeks in a Toronto hospital to get help related to his intestinal failure. There have also been virtual consultations with a doctor in Boston, with talk of a stem cell transplant. “But everything is still up in the air,” Raeanne noted.
“Braxton has never spent a night alone in a hospital; none of my children have,” Raeanne said. “It’s just something that’s important to me.”
Over the past few years, the entire family has spent a lot of time at JPCH. They are a close-knit team who always take care of each other, and they have “Team Braxton” shirts to prove it.
The little McIntyre is endearingly referred to as “little Mighty Mouse” by his mom, dad, twin sister and two older brothers. He and his family love hockey.
“We decided to billet last year for the SJHL (Battleford North Stars),” Raeanne said. “Honestly, it was the best decision ever! We had a boy from Minnesota stay with us last year, and he was honestly Braxton’s angel on earth. We are going to Minot next month to see him as Braxton, and our kids miss him so much.”
There’s also evidence on his mom’s FB page that Braxton can pull off some pretty cool dance moves. He would love to share them with the community of Eatonia on October 27.
“Braxton can hardly wait to dance,” his mom said. “Fingers crossed we can make it!”
“My family is my world. We have had so many wonderful moments together as well as many moments of sadness,” Raeanne said. “There is always something in life to be thankful for, whether it’s big or small.”
The upcoming event in Eatonia is appropriately called a “Benefit for the McIntyres” because it’s evident that every member of their immediate and extended family is pulling together to make the best of a very challenging circumstance. If you haven’t already, send them an encouraging note or make plans to attend the benefit in Eatonia on October 27.