"Heartbreaking.”

That's how Amanda Stehelin summed up her reaction when she and husband Bernard were told just a few weeks ago that their 2-1/2-year-old son Marek is battling acute lymphoblastic leukemia, a cancer of the blood and bone marrow.

It is the most curable form of leukemia with a success rate of more than 90 per cent.

For the Yukon family, however, it means the toddler and his mother are spending six months in

Vancouver for intensive treatment, with further trips Outside for treatment over the next three years.

There's an obvious emotional toll on the family, which includes three older siblings, but also a very definite financial toll as the family moves to a single income with Amanda in Vancouver with Marek.

Meanwhile, Bernard is in Whitehorse keeping the household going and looking after their other three kids.

In separate interviews, both Amanda (who had Marek sleeping on her at the time) and Bernard described how grateful and humbled they are by the help and offers of assistance they've received from Yukoners since Marek's diagnosis.

Marek's Page on Facebook, which provides public updates on the toddler's health, notes the family's appreciation for donations that have come in from groups like the Yukon Rangers, the Whitehorse Fireweed Lions Club and others.

The fund-raising efforts will continue with the circus-themed Marek's Marathon To Recovery event from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday at the Robert Service

Campground.

Entertainment will feature performers such as Claire Ness, Lana Rae, Remy Rodden, Soir de Semaine and The Bergmans.

A barbecue, face-painting, bake sale and silent auction are all planned as well with numerous Yukon businesses and individuals coming through with donations and/or volunteering their time.

"I think it'll be awesome,” Bernard said as he expressed his gratitude to friends and family organizing the event.

He admitted at first he was a little embarrassed about the help being offered to his family, and hopes some day they can return the favour.

Both he and Amanda said they are grateful and appreciate all the assistance.

Bernard also noted how fortunate they are to live in Canada, pointing out that in the United States, the medical treatment alone would likely cost upwards of $750,000.

While Saturday's event promises a fun time for those who attend, on a more serious note, Amanda said the support gives her peace of mind that her and Bernard's other three children, who range in age from four to eight years old, can continue to enjoy all the "normal stuff” in their daily lives.

As she pointed out, extra curricular activities like soccer just couldn't happen on one income. Both she and Bernard want to keep things as close to normal for the kids as they can.

Bernard said after Marek's diagnosis, he and Amanda had a couple of concerns they wanted to make sure they focused on for all four of their kids.

They don't want Marek to be spoiled, and they also want to make sure all their kids know how important they are.

At home in Whitehorse, he said, there are many conversations about Marek.

"They just miss him,” Bernard said of the three older kids.

With Marek set to be in Vancouver for the next six months, the family is hoping each of the older siblings can fly down at separate times over the summer so they each get to spend some with their little brother and mother.

In Vancouver, Marek is continuing to deal with the side effects of chemotherapy.

Bernard said the steroids that are part of his treatment are evident in his recent obsession with food.

Amanda also said Marek is quite tired from the chemotherapy and sleeping quite a bit.

"He's pretty positive,” Bernard said.

The toddler doesn't think about being sick, he pointed out, and in many ways, that also helps his mother keep things positive.