Ottawa's Jonathan Pitre gets support from Island hockey team

A Pee Wee hockey team from Alberton, P.E.I., is helping an Ottawa teen who is afflicted witha rare disease.

The Western Regals heard about Jonathan Pitre when they were part of the recent Good Deeds Cup contest.

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He's the so-called "butterfly child," known for therare disease that leaves his skin as thin as a butterfly's wingsand subject to severe blistering.

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The team has decided to help by raising funds and awareness about his condition, called epidermolysis bullosa, or EB.

Jonathan and his mother, Tina Boileau, are currently in Minnesota where Jonathan has undergone a second stem cell transplant.

The Regals have raised more than $5,400 so far, and Boileau saidthey are very appreciative of what the team is doing.

"The outreach that's happened from across the country is just amazing," she said. "People that don't know us but have just jumped on to supporting us, has been really heartfelt. Jonathan definitely feels the love. I think that's been carrying him through this tough time he's been on. It's just been amazing."

The team is continuing its fundraising efforts, and will be holdinga barbecue and fry truck this weekend, said Western Regals coach Mitch Ilsley.

They are hoping to present they money raised to Jonathan in person when he gets home, Ilsley added, along with a custom Regals jersey.

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