The family of a Salmon Arm toddler are thankful for the support from friends and strangers as they wait for her bone marrow transplant to fight a rare and aggressive form of cancer.
Lorraine Pasemko said blood transfusions for her 17-month-old granddaughter Alice aren鈥檛 helping her as much anymore. Alice鈥檚 three-year-old brother Anthony, who was not the best match, will be her bone marrow donor because a match could not be found with 10 million donors in the world-wide donor bank.
鈥淭hey have resorted to going back to Anthony. That鈥檚 all they have left to try,鈥� Pasemko said.
Alice is scheduled to start chemotherapy soon and the transplant is scheduled for Nov. 6, she said.
Alice is being treated at B.C. Children鈥檚 Hospital after she was with a worsening fever from a hospital in Salmon Arm, B.C. where her family lives.
At the Vancouver hospital Alice was soon diagnosed with one of the cancers known as myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) that is not normally seen in children.
Pasemko, a retired educational assistant at Red Deer鈥檚 Eastview Middle School, said her former co-workers considered bone marrow tests when they found out about Alice, but discovered donors could not be older than 35 and male donors were preferred.
Now she understands why it鈥檚 so important for young adults to donate or be tested to address the need.
鈥淭he kids that I鈥檝e seen at the hospital waiting for bone marrow, it鈥檚 just amazing. You don鈥檛 recognize it until it鈥檚 your family.鈥�
She said the support her family has received has been amazing. Former co-workers collected $1,000 to help with housing, travel and Alice鈥檚 medical expenses. Another couple she didn鈥檛 even know wanted to say prayers for Alice and handed Pasemko $600.
鈥淚t鈥檚 just overwhelming, the phone calls, the notes, the texts. You just feel really great that people are still supportive and believe in helping. It鈥檚 humbling.鈥�
A GoFundMe page has been set up 鈥� Help fight for baby Alice. Donations can also be Interac e-transferred to Lorraine and Larry Pasemko at pasemko.l@telus.net.
