Montreal artists, doctors come together to help 5-year-old Syrian refugee with cancer

Five-year-old George Maksoudis one of the 10,500 Syrian refugees who arrived in Quebec over the last two years.

He suffers from muscle cancer in one leg, and getting access to treatment in Syria was difficult.

"At one point, we could not even get the drugs needed for George's treatment," saidthe boy's father Mtanus Maksoud. "We'd have to get themin Lebanon or on the black market."

George and his family came to Montreal in June, with help from a collective of artists who put together a private sponsorship for them. Since then, hehas been under the care of doctors at theSainte-JustineHospital.

"We'reso impressed by the care," said George's mother,HanaaKarkour. "It's day and night with Syria."

George had undergone chemotherapy treatments in Syria before the family fled.

"The child wasfairly malnourished," said Dr. Yvan Samson, a pediatric hematologist-oncologist. "What struck me, that we see less, even in children who do not necessarily speak our language, is how he was frightened. How, for him, every approach was terrorizing."

Since then, George has gained weight and has grown more comfortable in his surroundings. His sponsorsin Quebec take turns accompanying the family during the treatments.

The group of 11 sponsors,led by Quebec actor and director PhilippeDucros, crowdfunded $22,000 to help make the family's journey possible.

Ducros, who spent time on a writing residence in Damas and Aleppo, said he was overwhelmed with support for his group's venture.

"There were so many people offering furniture that we had to pick and choose," he told Radio-Canada. "There's a lot of talk right now about Quebec's response to the arrival of immigration, and all that. What I feel, at least, is that people want to help."

The Maksoudshave three children in total: Joully (13), Eliana (10) and George (5).

They arelearning French and trying to integrateinto Quebec culture, all the while dealing with George's illness.

Doctors say his chances of recovery are slim, as histumour spreads to the groin and abdomen.

Still, the family holds onto hope burning a candle day and night on a small altar in the parents' bedroom.

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