MINNEAPOLIS — As he awaits his second stem-cell transplant, 16-year-old Jonathan Pitre of Russell had a surprise visit last night in Minnesota.
On the road to play that state’s NHL team, the Ottawa Senators took time out of their busy schedule to meet with their number one fan. Pitre was elated to see his hockey heroes — the entire team. “It gave me a big confidence boost,” he says in online footage posted by CTV News.
Pitre has inspired the region in his battle with a rare skin disease that continually blisters much of his body with painful sores. Last year, he underwent a first stem-cell transplant at the Minneapolis-based hospital specializing in cases of epidermolysis bullosa like his. While that procedure failed to take, the teen will be re-admitted tomorrow (March 31) to the University of Minnesota Masonic Hospital in preparation for a second transplant. Doctors will make the new attempt April 13, again using the bone marrow of his mother, Tina Boileau.
But first, she and her son, who turns 17 in June, are set to attend the Sens game tonight against the Wild — the first of Ottawa’s three-game road trip.
The Ottawa Senators posted this image of their visit with Pitre yesterday, on Facebook.
Jonathan got the green light to proceed with 2nd transplant. Admission the 31st,transplant is aimed for April 13th. This time it will work! pic.twitter.com/oWeI0LUx2X
— Tina Boileau (@BoileauTina) March 22, 2017
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