The mother of a child who underwent cancer diagnosis and treatment in Penticton is working to raise awareness for the upcoming 2025 South Okanagan Similkameen Medical Foundation Winter Wonderland Gala fundraiser.
A decade ago, Jennifer Kovach鈥檚 five-year-old daughter, Myla, was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare childhood cancer.
The diagnosis began following a simple earache.
Specialists at the Penticton Regional Hospital had access to a CT scan that found a tumour behind her nose.
Jennifer said the cancer diagnosis and treatment were challenging.
鈥淵ou don't know what's going to happen,鈥� she said. 鈥淵ou learn to live one second, one minute, one hour, one day at a time. You can't think too far ahead. And you just go into survival mode.鈥�
Myla was able to receive chemotherapy and a blood transfusion at the Penticton hospital, and spent her sixth birthday and Easter close to home, in Penticton.
鈥淲e had such a great team at PRH,鈥� Jennifer said. 鈥淎lthough we had to spend time away for certain treatments, being able to receive care close to home made a world of difference.鈥�
Now, at 16, Myla is an artist, snowboarder and a member of a slo-pitch team.
Jennifer is now working to raise awareness for the upcoming gala, which will take place on Nov. 22.
The gala will raise funds to upgrade equipment for women and children at the hospital, so patients and families can access care without leaving the region.
鈥淗aving the right equipment here means children and parents can stay close to home during the difficult times. That comfort matters more than people realize,鈥� Jennifer said.
鈥淗aving something here where kids have a place to play when they're going through these hard times at the hospital, and having the proper equipment so we don鈥檛 have to travel far, is huge.鈥�
Tickets for the gala are available online at sosmedicalfoundation.com/gala.
