Edmonton (Apr 15/05) - Geronimoe Constant spent the first two and a half years of his life like most healthy, carefree little boys.

That changed dramatically two weeks ago when he was diagnosed with leukemia.

Geronimoe Constant, seen dancing during the Bison Jamboree spring carnival in April 2004, has been diagnosed with leukemia. - NNSL file photo

He was at home with his father, Solomon Constant, when his gums started bleeding. Prior to that he had become lethargic and had no appetite. He was medevaced to Yellowknife and then flown to Edmonton.

Doctors diagnosed him with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, a curable form of cancer of the white blood cells.

Cheryl McKenzie-Lafferty, his mother, said she had a healthy pregnancy and the ailment was completely unexpected.

"I was scared," she said, recalling the moment when she was informed it was leukemia. "It was a lot of weird emotions. I didn't know what to think, what to do."

Geronimoe remains in Edmonton where he has already started chemotherapy treatments at the University of Edmonton Hospital. The treatments will continue weekly for six months.

He's also on a regimen of antibiotics and steroids. Follow-up treatment will take place in Yellowknife. The toddler will require a bone marrow transplant to make a full recovery.

McKenzie-Lafferty said she remains hopeful a bone marrow match will be found because she comes from a big family. The family is staying at Larga Home. While McKenzie-Lafferty spoke on the phone from there last week, Geronimoe, an only child, could be heard gibbering in the background. He was watching Spider-Man on television.

His mom said he is happy at times, but he also experiences bouts of moodiness and will readily over-eat if not monitored due to side-effects of the drugs. He also has trouble with his joints, making it difficult for him to walk, she explained.

"Yeah, he's in pain with his hips," she said.

A young mother, McKenzie-Lafferty admitted that it will be hard to be away from home for such a long time. The hospital staff, social services and her family have been providing much-needed support, she noted.

Fort Providence hamlet employees Susan Christie and Albertine Canadien have placed donation jars around the community on behalf of the ailing boy and his family. Canadien said she was "shocked" when she heard of Geronimoe's condition.

"Hopefully it turns out for the better," she said.

Berna Landry, chief of the Deh Gah Got'ie First Nation, said there was talk at the community's inter-agency meeting of a benefit concert. Some residents have mentioned that they plan to drop in to see the parents and their son, she added.

"We'll help out whatever way we can," said Landry. "It was so sad when I first heard of (Geronimoe's condition), just the idea that he's so small."