Alaya's Journey
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Hello! My name is Tammy Harrigan and I'm about to describe the devastating situation of my 13 year old niece, Alaya's battle with cancer.
Battling cancer once is difficult - imagine 4 times. Alaya is a vivacious, spirited and funny teenager who has heard more than her share of bad news and who has gone through more terrible things than most. Yet she stays strong and has demonstrated grace and dignity far beyond her age. You see, Alaya was cured from leukemia, is in remission for a secondary leukemia and is now being called to another fight. She has spent the equivalent of 10 months in the hospital, has had countless needles and difficult medical tests and many surgeries.
When she was 3 years old, Alaya was diagnosed with a rare form of ALL leukemia that required aggressive treatment that included a bone marrow transplant from her brother. She breezed thought the year-long treatment and continued to strive, actually being able to start junior kindergarten with her classmates.
Although doctors continued to monitor her health regularly, she was considered cured and all was well for 10 years.
In May 2014, at the age of 12, Alaya developed a constant fever. Her Mom had terrible flashbacks of her first diagnosis and brought her to the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO). Doctors were shocked to discover that she now had a different leukemia, AML, which is more difficult to cure. Things then took a turn for the worst. She had fluid on her lungs. It was touch and go for 2 weeks in the ICU. To save her life, chemotherapy was started during this time. Alaya pulled through but was very weak during the 3 month long treatment leading up to her second bone marrow procedure at Saint-Justine Hospital in Montreal.
Her family was determined to do everything they could to support her. Both her parents were with her during the grueling lifesaving treatment, meaning the loss of income for a year, over and above the expenses of treatment, as well as needing to leave behind their 16 year old son, Jayke, for this journey, which was heartbreaking.
June 2014 brought another blow. During a routine CT scan, a nodule on her thyroid was discovered and deemed to be cancerous.
July 2014 came with more terrifying news. Genetic testing revealed a specific marker called Li-Fraumeni, making Alaya’s body more susceptible to develop cancer.
Alaya's treatment for leukemia saw 3 seasons, 116 nights in the hospital, over 10 blood transfusions, more needles than we can count, hundreds of homemade meals and treats, many thousands of prayers and positive inspirations, indescribable acts of kindness and the incredible work of dedicated doctors and nurses.
In November 2014 surgeons removed her thyroid and pathology reports revealed that the nodule was benign (no cancer).
Alaya and her family began to recuperate from the ordeal. A low immune system kept Alaya away from school and friends. Still a little weak, she had many follow up appointments. Hospital time was not good time.
Little by little, life took a new form. Alaya goes back to school, she can socialize and participate in activities and Mom and Dad go back to work.
April 2015, Alaya felt a constant pain in her side. Another terrible chapter began. A bone tumor on her rib… Consultations began with Dr Malkin, from SickKids in Toronto to intervene.
In June 2015, Alaya had a rib resection, 3 ribs were removed to ensure clear margins. Pathology stated that it was an osteosarcoma. With Alaya having been through so much, the family prayed that surgery to remove the rib was sufficient.
August 2015, the family headed to Toronto. Scans and MRIs were good. Relief allowed life to take on a normal routine. Alaya began grade 9 in High School, soaring academically. Jayke was off to University. Dad went back to work and Mom started a new job.
Alaya’s health monitoring is constant, with MRIs taking from 1 to 3 hours. Scans are not fun. However, “catching” anything early is key to beating this disease.
November 2015 delivers terrible news. A new osteorsarcoma is on Alaya’s rib. Curing this life-threatening disease will require more surgery and more chemotherapy. Alaya is devastated, shocked and feeling more sorrow than a 13 year old should ever feel. She says she just wants to be a regular teenager. It seems that life has other plans.
Her family has lost its footing once again and is seeking the strength to take on this battle and win. Alaya cannot do it by herself and neither can they. When a child is sick, there are not many resources to help sustain the financial aspect of the fight. There is NO government support to help with the loss of income these families live through. When crisis hits, the reality is that bills will still arrive on time, with no reduction on the cost of taxes or hydro. Last year, the family was able to stay financially afloat by liquidating their retirement savings and receiving generous community support. The funds allowed them to keep their home and pay living expenses. There are some costs that select nonprofits help with but these do not cover even basic expenses related to treatment, nor normal regular recurring living expenses. Because precious savings have been previously exhausted and the family has not yet recuperated financially, Dad cannot stop working this time to be there for treatment. Mom is self-employed and her health insurance company does not consider her stress of having a sick child as an entitlement to her own sickness benefits.
As you read this, it may seem that this situation is impossible to conquer. It is impossible alone. Together we can make a difference and show that everything is possible. We can support them by keeping the faith that love wins. Being kind and compassionate brings healing and giving is a beautiful form of gratitude. All funds will go towards making this treatment easier for Alaya, allowing her to be a regular teenager and helping her family make it through this difficult time without having to be concerned about losing their home or paying their utility bills.
Together, we can help Alaya become a writer, a motivational speaker, serve her community and help her just be a regular teenager.
You can help by donating, hosting a fundraiser, spreading the word about her story to family, friends and the media and always by sending Alaya wishes.
Battling cancer once is difficult - imagine 4 times. Alaya is a vivacious, spirited and funny teenager who has heard more than her share of bad news and who has gone through more terrible things than most. Yet she stays strong and has demonstrated grace and dignity far beyond her age. You see, Alaya was cured from leukemia, is in remission for a secondary leukemia and is now being called to another fight. She has spent the equivalent of 10 months in the hospital, has had countless needles and difficult medical tests and many surgeries.
When she was 3 years old, Alaya was diagnosed with a rare form of ALL leukemia that required aggressive treatment that included a bone marrow transplant from her brother. She breezed thought the year-long treatment and continued to strive, actually being able to start junior kindergarten with her classmates.
Although doctors continued to monitor her health regularly, she was considered cured and all was well for 10 years.
In May 2014, at the age of 12, Alaya developed a constant fever. Her Mom had terrible flashbacks of her first diagnosis and brought her to the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO). Doctors were shocked to discover that she now had a different leukemia, AML, which is more difficult to cure. Things then took a turn for the worst. She had fluid on her lungs. It was touch and go for 2 weeks in the ICU. To save her life, chemotherapy was started during this time. Alaya pulled through but was very weak during the 3 month long treatment leading up to her second bone marrow procedure at Saint-Justine Hospital in Montreal.
Her family was determined to do everything they could to support her. Both her parents were with her during the grueling lifesaving treatment, meaning the loss of income for a year, over and above the expenses of treatment, as well as needing to leave behind their 16 year old son, Jayke, for this journey, which was heartbreaking.
June 2014 brought another blow. During a routine CT scan, a nodule on her thyroid was discovered and deemed to be cancerous.
July 2014 came with more terrifying news. Genetic testing revealed a specific marker called Li-Fraumeni, making Alaya’s body more susceptible to develop cancer.
Alaya's treatment for leukemia saw 3 seasons, 116 nights in the hospital, over 10 blood transfusions, more needles than we can count, hundreds of homemade meals and treats, many thousands of prayers and positive inspirations, indescribable acts of kindness and the incredible work of dedicated doctors and nurses.
In November 2014 surgeons removed her thyroid and pathology reports revealed that the nodule was benign (no cancer).
Alaya and her family began to recuperate from the ordeal. A low immune system kept Alaya away from school and friends. Still a little weak, she had many follow up appointments. Hospital time was not good time.
Little by little, life took a new form. Alaya goes back to school, she can socialize and participate in activities and Mom and Dad go back to work.
April 2015, Alaya felt a constant pain in her side. Another terrible chapter began. A bone tumor on her rib… Consultations began with Dr Malkin, from SickKids in Toronto to intervene.
In June 2015, Alaya had a rib resection, 3 ribs were removed to ensure clear margins. Pathology stated that it was an osteosarcoma. With Alaya having been through so much, the family prayed that surgery to remove the rib was sufficient.
August 2015, the family headed to Toronto. Scans and MRIs were good. Relief allowed life to take on a normal routine. Alaya began grade 9 in High School, soaring academically. Jayke was off to University. Dad went back to work and Mom started a new job.
Alaya’s health monitoring is constant, with MRIs taking from 1 to 3 hours. Scans are not fun. However, “catching” anything early is key to beating this disease.
November 2015 delivers terrible news. A new osteorsarcoma is on Alaya’s rib. Curing this life-threatening disease will require more surgery and more chemotherapy. Alaya is devastated, shocked and feeling more sorrow than a 13 year old should ever feel. She says she just wants to be a regular teenager. It seems that life has other plans.
Her family has lost its footing once again and is seeking the strength to take on this battle and win. Alaya cannot do it by herself and neither can they. When a child is sick, there are not many resources to help sustain the financial aspect of the fight. There is NO government support to help with the loss of income these families live through. When crisis hits, the reality is that bills will still arrive on time, with no reduction on the cost of taxes or hydro. Last year, the family was able to stay financially afloat by liquidating their retirement savings and receiving generous community support. The funds allowed them to keep their home and pay living expenses. There are some costs that select nonprofits help with but these do not cover even basic expenses related to treatment, nor normal regular recurring living expenses. Because precious savings have been previously exhausted and the family has not yet recuperated financially, Dad cannot stop working this time to be there for treatment. Mom is self-employed and her health insurance company does not consider her stress of having a sick child as an entitlement to her own sickness benefits.
As you read this, it may seem that this situation is impossible to conquer. It is impossible alone. Together we can make a difference and show that everything is possible. We can support them by keeping the faith that love wins. Being kind and compassionate brings healing and giving is a beautiful form of gratitude. All funds will go towards making this treatment easier for Alaya, allowing her to be a regular teenager and helping her family make it through this difficult time without having to be concerned about losing their home or paying their utility bills.
Together, we can help Alaya become a writer, a motivational speaker, serve her community and help her just be a regular teenager.
You can help by donating, hosting a fundraiser, spreading the word about her story to family, friends and the media and always by sending Alaya wishes.
Organizer
Tammy Harrigan
Organizer
Cornwall, ON
