‘Welcome home Ethan’: Chatham teen makes much anticipated return home

A local teen, who’s cancer is now in remission, returned home to a surprise welcome from friends and family.

A Chatham teen made his long-awaited return home on Tuesday afternoon after a historic fight against cancer.

Arriving with a police escort, Ethan Hunter, 17, was greeted by dozens of friends and family members who had come to celebrate the teen’s heroics.

Hunter’s homecoming follows more than two years in and out of hospitals in Toronto and London after being diagnosed with lymphoblastic lymphoma, a rare subtype of T-cell leukemia, in 2022.

“Not everybody is, I don’t even want to use the word lucky, because it’s not luck, it’s people,” said Shara Hunter, Ethan’s mom.

“Ethan fought this far; Ethan wanted to come home. God loves him.”

As the teen approached the home, signs reading “Welcome Home Ethan” were hoisted high into the air.

Standing by to greet Ethan was Chatham-Kent Mayor Darrin Canniff, and representatives from the OPP, Chatham-Kent Police Service and Chatham-Kent Fire and Rescue.

When asked if he was happy to be home, a quiet Hunter nodded.

“I can’t even begin to describe the team that went into, not just today, the last three years, since Toronto and relapse. It’s been an incredible outpouring of prayers,” said Shara.

“So very, very grateful for every single person.”

Hunter’s recovery turned for the better when he became the first person in the world with T-cell lymphoma to respond to a new trial drug.

Ahead of Hunter’s return home, his room received a makeover to reduce the risk of allergens and bacteria that could create a risk for his still-vulnerable immune system.

Rather than dwell on the past, the family is looking forward to making memories and finding a return to normalcy.

- With files from CTV’s Chris Campbell.