Team Cala
Donation protected
(See update below)
Our student Cala was a spunky 3 year old, playing and laughing with her big sister Mia, when she began to get sick this September. Her Mother Manda, took her to her family doctor (a virus), then urgent care (just a fever) and feeling she wasn't getting better, to a walk-in clinic who ordered the right blood work. Except it gave the wrong results. October 8th, 2019 changed their world forever, when they were delivered the news she was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.
Within hours, Cala was an inpatient at Alberta Children's Hospital and had received 4 rounds chemo treatments within the first week. When we went to visit Cala at the hospital, it was nearly the same Cala we saw at preschool the weeks before: smiling, talking, except for the tubes, and playing in her child size bed. When Manda said she would lose her hair in a few days, it was hard to hold back and when we said goodbye and left their room, we held each other and cried. We asked Manda and Andres if we could start a Go Fund Me page, they were shy and unsure if they should ask. I reassured them that friends, family, acquaintances, even strangers, want to help, want to do something. I asked them to send us some information for this write up and here is their humble reply:
"We trust the words you choose Shar. We are not the kind to ask for anything but are so appreciative of assistance with all the travel for Andres, medical expenses since we are both off work. Since our diagnosis, she has been in the Children's Hospital facing treatment as well as bacterial and viral infections due to her compromised immune system. We are now in isolation. It has been extremely difficult for her sister Mia, separated from her mama who is staying bedside. We are in safe hands, blessed by so many angels on team Cala."
(I had to prompt Manda to help tell us how expenses were adding up for them):
"All the hospital parking, food for stays, ambulance fees, gas, supplies for her central port ( I-vac) and freeze creams, (we now have weekly cleaners at home with hospital grade products to keep the house sterile for when we are home on passes). We've been here 28 days now since our diagnosis so it all adds up. so $s will be strenuous for the 3 years of her intense chemo treatments . Hope this all helps. You're such an advocate of our babes! Xoxoxo- xoxoxo"
This is the start of Team Cala's journey! We will post updates along the way. For those reading this, please do what feels right for you, whether it's in the form of prayers, emails to Manda and Andres, or here at goFundMe, all efforts are so appreciated.
With love and fierce admiration to Cala, Mia, Manda and Andres from the teachers at Okotoks Montessori Preschool.
Our student Cala was a spunky 3 year old, playing and laughing with her big sister Mia, when she began to get sick this September. Her Mother Manda, took her to her family doctor (a virus), then urgent care (just a fever) and feeling she wasn't getting better, to a walk-in clinic who ordered the right blood work. Except it gave the wrong results. October 8th, 2019 changed their world forever, when they were delivered the news she was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.
Within hours, Cala was an inpatient at Alberta Children's Hospital and had received 4 rounds chemo treatments within the first week. When we went to visit Cala at the hospital, it was nearly the same Cala we saw at preschool the weeks before: smiling, talking, except for the tubes, and playing in her child size bed. When Manda said she would lose her hair in a few days, it was hard to hold back and when we said goodbye and left their room, we held each other and cried. We asked Manda and Andres if we could start a Go Fund Me page, they were shy and unsure if they should ask. I reassured them that friends, family, acquaintances, even strangers, want to help, want to do something. I asked them to send us some information for this write up and here is their humble reply:
"We trust the words you choose Shar. We are not the kind to ask for anything but are so appreciative of assistance with all the travel for Andres, medical expenses since we are both off work. Since our diagnosis, she has been in the Children's Hospital facing treatment as well as bacterial and viral infections due to her compromised immune system. We are now in isolation. It has been extremely difficult for her sister Mia, separated from her mama who is staying bedside. We are in safe hands, blessed by so many angels on team Cala."
(I had to prompt Manda to help tell us how expenses were adding up for them):
"All the hospital parking, food for stays, ambulance fees, gas, supplies for her central port ( I-vac) and freeze creams, (we now have weekly cleaners at home with hospital grade products to keep the house sterile for when we are home on passes). We've been here 28 days now since our diagnosis so it all adds up. so $s will be strenuous for the 3 years of her intense chemo treatments . Hope this all helps. You're such an advocate of our babes! Xoxoxo- xoxoxo"
This is the start of Team Cala's journey! We will post updates along the way. For those reading this, please do what feels right for you, whether it's in the form of prayers, emails to Manda and Andres, or here at goFundMe, all efforts are so appreciated.
With love and fierce admiration to Cala, Mia, Manda and Andres from the teachers at Okotoks Montessori Preschool.
Organizer and beneficiary
Okotoks Montessori Preschool
Organizer
Okotoks, AB
Manda Henrichsen
Beneficiary