The community's generosity is helping a Lorette teenager take the next steps in his recovery after a life-changing cancer diagnosis. 

After two successful days of fundraising, Brooke and Koda’s Iced Tea Stand raised $19,030 for 15-year-old Ethan Palmeiro, who is recovering from osteosarcoma.   

The fundraiser supports a different local or family in need each summer. 

“I didn't know that this many people would come together for my son, so from the bottom of my heart, thank you so much for everything you guys have done so much,” says Ethan’s father, Marco Palmeiro. 

Ethan’s journey 

Palmeiro explains that Ethan first began experiencing pain in his leg while biking to school each morning. 

 After visits to the Steinbach Medical Clinic and Steinbach General Hospital, further testing at CancerCare Manitoba confirmed the diagnosis. 

“He was confirmed with osteosarcoma, which is a bone cancer,” Palmeiro says. 

Ethan underwent six months of intensive chemotherapy before having rotationplasty surgery, a procedure that removes part of the leg and rotates the lower portion 180 degrees so the ankle functions as a new knee joint. 

With the fundraiser's earnings, Ethan will be fitted for a proper prosthetic, something that will allow him to go swimming. 

“It’ll be something where he can do as much activity as he used to do, which was kind of the reasoning for going this route in surgery — so he can live a longer, more normal life.” 

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Ethan is continuing to recover from surgery, and the family hopes he can begin prosthetic training later this fall. 

The money will also help cover physiotherapy, future prosthetic needs and allow Ethan to save for his education.  

Palmeiro adds that Ethan also hopes to purchase a 3D printer, something he's wanted for some time. 

Community support 

The emotional impact of the community's support has been just as significant as financial help. 

“I really appreciate it, I know Ethan, and our whole family, really appreciates everything,” Palmeiro says. 

"You guys showed me what a community can do when you put them together." 

The fundraiser inspired acts of kindness beyond Steinbach. 

A teacher and student from Lorette organized their own bake sale after learning about Ethan’s story, raising about $700 to contribute to the campaign. 

Brooke Peters, Koda Reimer and long-time teammate Merrick Hiebert say many moments stood out during this year’s fundraiser. 

One donor purchased several trays of baking, adding hundreds of dollars to the total, before asking organizers to give the treats away to others. 

Another memory that stuck with the organizers involved a much smaller donation. 

Peters recalls her father arriving with a handful of coins — from a co-worker whose aunt had died that morning. 

“It was a donation of $4, but it was the most special that I remember,” she says. 

The organizers say every contribution, regardless of size, helped make the fundraiser a success. 

“None of this is possible without the help of our community,” Peters says. 

“Thank you so very much for helping us,” says Hiebert. 

With files from Corny Rempel 

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