Liliane Hajjar and Jason Randell, from Quebec, Canada, have already been through enough heartbreak to last a life time.
Two out of their three children have aggressive forms of cancer. The parents are reeling after their daughter 5-year-old Sophia was diagnosed with brain tumours- the exact same tumours that her brother Jacob battled at her age.
Within weeks of this devastating diagnosis, Jacob was diagnosed with kidney cancer.
When Jacob was 5 years old, he was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive brain tumour, atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumour. The brave boy underwent surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation to beat it.
After learning that this can be hereditary, the younger siblings, Liam and Sophia, underwent genetic testing. The little girl tested positive for same gene mutation that caused her older brother's cancer.
Speaking to local media in 2017, Jacob, then 13, was devastated by his sisters diagnosis.
"I'm like, 'Why her? Why not me, again?'" he asked. "Because if it was me again, I'd be able to do it, it wouldn't be too hard because I've already been through (it)."
“One child diagnosed with cancer is absolutely devastating but two is life-changing,” mum Liliane said at the time.
Tragically, his fight is not over yet.
Just last week Jacob was diagnosed with kidney cancer. Days later, the family found out that Sophia's tumours were back too.
Writing on Facebook, their mother Liliane expressed her heartbreak.
"I will do everything in my power to guide them as best I can. As a mother, I love hard and my love is strong and that is what I will do for Jacob, Liam and Sophia. This is not the life I imagined for them but it is what it is and we will walk with them every step of the way.
"Jacob and Sophia, I love you, I am sorry for what life has forced upon you but you are not alone. You are never alone. You will be ok. Not now, not tomorrow but you will be ok. I love you with all that I have.
She admits that having to go through cancer treatment a second time with her children has shaken her faith.
"I don't know who to look up to you anymore. I don't know who to pray to anymore because no one is listening. Jason and I are at a loss for words and heartbreak doesn't even come close to how we feel. I'm tired now. My heart is tired, my soul is tired. This mother is so tired now, not sure where I will find the strength anymore."
The siblings share a hospital room where Sophia is her brother's "little cheerleader"
The family focus on spending as much time together as they can.
"We unhooked my babies today and took them outside. Jacob took his first breath of fresh crisp air for the first time since January 24th. We keep our focus on Jacob's recovery with the goal to bring him home in the near future," Liliane updated on Facebook. "We will hope for the best for Sophia, we realise and acknowledge how bad it is now and will hold on to hope and believe in miracles. I have the most beautiful, amazing, strong, courageous children in the entire world!"
The heartbroken family are now hoping for the best for their two children, and have set up a Gofundme page to raise money for their recovery.
