Help sought for sick child

Photo: Contributed - Jenn and Myla

An Okanagan family has been thrown into crisis without warning.

Jenn and Kyle Ganzeveld’s five-year-old daughter, Myla, came home with an ear infection back in January, and after several days of no improvement, the couple took the girl to the doctor.

Family friend Laura Ploner says, by then, Myla’s ear had a strange odor and she needed to see a specialist.

Ploner says the family was then directed to drive down to B.C. Children’s Hospital, where for six days doctors ran tests on Myla.

Then on Feb. 6, Myla was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma, a cancer of soft tissue, such as muscle or bone.

Rhabdomyosarcoma is rare, but when it does occur, it is mostly seen in children five and under.

“It is a mass of tissue behind her nasal cavity affecting her ear as well as her throat,” explains Ploner.

The family, Jenn, Kyle and eldest daughter are now staying in Vancouver to be by Myla’s side.

Jenn Ganzeveld says Myla had to have a port placed right above her abdomen, which connects to her heart.

"We are doing our best to take this one minute, one day, at a time and to stay positive and keep her spirits up. She finally made it back to the playroom after three days of healing from the port surgery.”

Ganzeveld said the family has kept Myla busy watching movies and playing with her big sister.

"They are from Penticton, so travel, food and whatever else is expensive, let alone making mortgage payments, car payments and keeping the lights on,” explains Ploner.

In an effort to help the Ganzevelds, a family friend has created a Go Fund Me page.

“Little Myla is going to have a long road a head, so I’m asking the Okanagan for their support, because this family needs our help so the only thing they have to worry about is getting their baby better.”

Ganzeveld is providing updates on Myla through the Go Fund Me page and, so far, $6,650 has been raised.

The $6,500 was raised in four days by 73 people, and Ploner is hoping now that she’s reached out to the Okanagan even more can be raised to help little Myla.

To donate, visit Go Fund Me.