News24 | Two-year-old Ethan’s leukaemia diagnosis inspires 8 000km fundraising road trip

• Two-year-old Ethan Msithini-Zimunya is a friendly little boy whose leukaemia diagnosis earlier this year has been devastating for his family.
• Joshua Rubin, a well-known content creator also known as Josh Wide Awake, set out to help, driving about 8 000km around South Africa for more than six weeks to raise funds for Ethan’s treatment through a BackaBuddy campaign.
• Rubin and Ethan’s father, Carlton, grew up like brothers after Carlton was adopted. The campaign has since raised 90% of the goal.

At just two years old, Ethan Msithini-Zimunya has already developed a dynamic personality and is such a friendly little boy that he will give a thumbs-up to almost everyone.

According to his father, Carlton Msithini-Zimunya, the two-year-old can be shy when first meeting people, but once comfortable, his outgoing personality comes through.

Carlton said:

He loves playing with his little car toys, and one of the sweetest things about him is how easily he responds to other people’s happiness. If he sees someone laughing, he will often start laughing too, especially when someone is playing with him.

However, earlier this year, Ethan was diagnosed with leukaemia after his health took a sudden turn. It has been a difficult time for the family.

Background

Carlton’s mother worked as a housekeeper for the aunt of Joshua Rubin, who is a well-known content creator also known as Josh Wide Awake.

When Carlton’s parents died, a young Rubin convinced his aunt to keep Carlton rather than have him leave the family. Susan adopted Carlton, and the two grew up like brothers.

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Rubin has since set out to help the family, driving about 8 000km around South Africa for more than six weeks to raise funds for Ethan’s treatment through a BackaBuddy campaign, which has since reached 90% of its goal.

Throughout the two years, Ethan has experienced the regular joys of childhood, such as playing with his older brother, spending time with his cousins and sticking to his routine of waking up early and going into his parents’ bedroom to wake them up.

He started going to daycare this year and was his usual bubbly, playful and energetic self, but then started becoming unwell more often.

At just two years old, Ethan has already developed a dynamic personality, but a recent leukaemia diagnosis has been devastating for his family.

Joshua Rubin/supplied

According to Carlton, Ethan seemed to catch almost every infection going around at daycare.

“Gradually, he became more tired and started wanting to sleep much more than usual. He also began crying when we took him to [daycare], and even his teacher noticed that he wasn’t playing the way he normally did,” he said.

Ethan lost his appetite, started vomiting, became pale and at one point had bleeding gums.

Carlton and his wife, Sipe, first rushed Ethan to a provincial hospital, but doctors could not immediately diagnose him from his blood results.

He was thereafter transferred to Grey’s Hospital for further tests, but doctors could still not tell what was wrong.

At the time, Ethan needed a blood transfusion to support him and was eventually transferred to Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital, where, after further tests, he was diagnosed with leukaemia.

It was a devastating diagnosis for Ethan’s parents. For the two-year-old, it meant he had to stop going to daycare. He was in and out of the hospital for treatment.

Carlton said:

There have been many difficult moments – blood tests, injections, searching for his veins and procedures that are frightening and uncomfortable for such a young child. Hearing his little cries breaks our hearts as parents because we would do anything to take that pain away from him.

Yet, despite everything, Ethan continues to surprise them with his strength.

They have seen positive changes, including an improved appetite, since he started treatment.

“Those moments are incredibly special to us,” said Carlton. “Sometimes he will get excited to play, sing or spend time with his older brother, and for a little while, we get to see the Ethan we know and love – the happy, playful little boy who doesn’t let everything he is going through define him.”

Carlton Msithini-Zimunya and his family.

Joshua Rubin/Supplied

Rubin saw Ethan’s resilience firsthand, and when he heard about Ethan’s diagnosis, he promised to assist the family to raise funds for the toddler’s treatment by taking on the extraordinary travelling challenge.

“[Ethan’s] just such an incredible kid,” said Rubin, adding:

He’s got such a strong personality. You just have to play with him for 10 minutes and he is the most happy, energetic, boisterous kid ever. He’s a bit of a troublemaker, but in a cute way.

Together with his childhood friend, Daniel, Rubin spent more than six weeks on the road, sharing the people, places and stories they encountered along the way, while raising funds for Ethan through the BackaBuddy campaign.

The fundraising would go towards Ethan’s medical and treatment costs and to allow his parents to spend as much time with him as possible.

Rubin said Ethan’s parents work on cruise ships and have had to continue working to support the family, which meant being away from Ethan’s through much of his treatment.

“I’ve always wanted to do a trip around South Africa for a while, but there wasn’t really a reason for me to do it other than just doing it for myself,” said Rubin. “When I heard about what was going on, I just thought [to] try and do as much as possible for this little boy and his family.”

Ethan Msithini-Zimunya and Joshua Rubin.

Joshua Rubin/Supplied

With just over 8 000km and all the nine provinces travelled over six weeks, Rubin and Daniel also went to further corners and beyond.

“We were literally on the border of Namibia, Botswana [and] close to the border of Zimbabwe. We really didn’t just go to the provinces. We went to places that no one really goes to for the most part,” said Rubin.

Supporters of the BackaBuddy campaign from different parts of the world shared their encouraging messages on the BackaBuddy website.

One supporter identified as Jonathan said: “God bless you Ethan. I hope all goes well. Lots of love from Germany! People are seeing this everywhere.”

Danielle van Dyk added: “Good luck, little Ethan! Sending you and your family so much love and strength. You’ve got this, buddy!!”

The BackaBuddy campaign has raised R225 142, which is about 90% of the R250 000 goal.

Supporters are encouraged to continue contributing by donating via this link.

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