London Boy Battling Tumor Finds Hope Through Music and Community Support

Zachery Laliberty, an 11-year-old boy from London, Ontario, is bravely facing his battle with a brain tumor after enduring the loss of his father to cancer. Music has become a source of solace for Zachery, who finds calm while playing the keyboard amid his ongoing health struggles.

Zachery’s mother, Jennifer, shared their harrowing journey over the past four years. In 2022, they lost her husband, Zachery’s father, to esophageal cancer after a fierce 16-month battle. “Zachery lost his fun, happy dad, and I lost a love of my life,” Jennifer stated. Just a year later, as they began to rebuild their lives, Zachery received a diagnosis of a brain tumor.

The ordeal began when Zachery, then in grade three, came home from school with severe headaches and vomiting. Initially thought to be migraines, a subsequent doctor’s visit revealed troubling signs. “The doctor noticed pressure at the back of his eyes caused by swelling of the brain,” Jennifer recalled. “She asked Zachery to leave the room and said, ‘I’m certain Zachery has a brain tumor,’ and I couldn’t believe it.”

Zachery has been undergoing oral chemotherapy twice a day for several years, which has led to cognitive fatigue. He is now facing another surgery due to a fluid-filled tumor that has developed as an offshoot of the original mass. “He has to have a catheter put in, which is attached to a dome that will go under his scalp. It will be drained as needed,” Jennifer explained. Despite the challenges, she holds onto hope, believing that Zachery will grow up to have a family of his own, though she acknowledges that life will not be easy for him.

In a show of community support, local musicians known as the **Rizdales** organized their 18th annual **Rizdales’ Roots Roundup** on November 15, 2023. The event raised **$10,000** for Zachery and his family. “We gather some of our favorite musicians for an afternoon of music and dancing,” said **Tara Dunphy** of the Rizdales. This annual fundraiser has raised over **$50,000** since its inception, reflecting the community’s commitment to supporting families facing the financial burdens of cancer.

“The cost of cancer is so much more than just medical bills,” Dunphy added. “It includes expenses like parking, coffees, and little treats after difficult medical appointments.”

Recently, just days before his birthday, Zachery received an unforgettable gift. His mother surprised him with entry into **Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s** baseball camp. “I got to do 18 stations, and I got to high-five him and side hug him,” Zachery shared excitedly. “We played catch, and he rolled the ball to me, and I threw it back.”

Jennifer expressed her joy at witnessing her son’s interaction with Guerrero, saying, “I made a dream come true for him. But for me too, because it was ‘Vladdy.’ I didn’t know he would get to throw the ball with Vlad, and my eyes welled up with joy.”

For this brief moment, both mother and son could forget the pain and suffering they have endured. Jennifer emphasized Zachery’s resilience, stating, “He’s one of the most resilient kids I’ve ever met.” As they continue to navigate the challenges ahead, the support from their community and moments of joy like these provide vital hope in their journey.