Co-workers try to offset family's costs as child undergoes chemo

Photo: Contributed

It’s going to be at least six months of intensive chemotherapy for young Gage.

Chad Inglis is trying to help out friends whose son was recently diagnosed with Stage 3 Burkitt Lymphoma.

He's spearheading a fundraising campaign to help Tyler and Marlena Penney as they stay with their nine-year-old son after he was airlifted to Vancouver’s Children’s Hospital last week.

Inglis and Tyler work together as RCMP officers in Salmon Arm, and Mom Marlena owns a local spa.

“Marlena’s income from the spa is obviously put on hold indefinitely,” says Inglis, who is in touch with the family every day.

They're thankful the prognosis is good.

“It’s a pretty treatable one, but the next six months is going to mean rigorous chemo,” says Inglis.

Meanwhile, Gage is doing well.

“He’s a pretty energetic kid normally, but of course he has his good days and bad days.”

Inglis and Penney were first stationed together in Kitimat 10 years ago and have been friends and co-workers since. That friendship is what prompted fellow officers at the Salmon Arm detachment to help remove some of the financial burden the family faces while Gage undergoes treatment.

“Tyler and Marlena are both proud and humble people, and are the last ones to ever ask for help, but the first ones to offer it. Both are extremely giving people who constantly help those around them. Tyler has been a first responder for over 12 years now, and the amount of people he has impacted and helped during his career is immeasurable,” Inglis states on a GoFundMe page for the family.

“As they are both now full-time supporting Gage at Children’s Hospital, their income ... is now completely gone.”

Gage's sister Savannah is currently staying with Tyler’s parents, in between visits to see her big brother.

“In the coming months, there will be numerous financial difficulties to face that we want to erase from their minds so the Penneys can concentrate on helping Gage fight with all their might,” says Inglis.

The officers have also set up an account at the Salmon Arm Savings & Credit Union in Gage's name where 100% of deposits will go directly to the family. The SASCU account number is 1832047 and email transfers can use [email protected].