A Miracle For Magnus

Hello and thank you for your interest in our story, 'A MIRACLE FOR MAGNUS'! My name is Leisa Howell, I work as a community support provider in Kelowna, British Columbia. In my career, I have worked with many special individuals with unique challenges.  My work is my lifestyle, not a job, my clients are my family. Magnus came into my life in September of 2018, he was a tender 21 years of age. I also met his Mamma Bear, Diane at the same time...in about five minutes we knew it was the perfect fit for all of us.  It didn't take but a day and Magnus had given me the handle of 'Godmom'.  Our journey had begun! Our first week together, he went for a fairly routine chest X-ray which revealed a mass on his lung. Sure enough, it was cancer. Hodgkins Lymphoma in particular. Conceptualizing the magnitude of this diagnosis for him was, and still is, an ongoing process in itself...one step at a time...one procedure at a time...one moment at a time.  Up until now, he has handled it like a trooper. The nurses, doctors and other patients adore him, he makes everyone smile. He encourages his Facebook Support Group friends everyday, they even ask him for advice!  He has embraced this challenge and become a hero in his own right. Onward into treatment ~ six rounds of chemotherapy, (twelve treatments later) Magnus is ready to celebrate being cancer free, however a scan done in Vancouver reveals that the Lymphoma has spread in to the lymph nodes, into the other lung, AND the original mass has grown as well.  After a very real and intense conversation with another oncologist in Vancouver who specializes in STEM CELL TRANSPLANTS , the reality is this. A full week of testing in Vancouver General Hospital, stem cell harvesting and freezing, then preparing for the bone marrow transplant.  Magnus will have to remain in Vancouver the entire time in hospital for eight to ten weeks.  At the end of the day, the hope will be that our hero Magnus will have a 35% chance of kicking this cancer's ass.  We are praying that he will be in that 35%! So why am I raising money for this family?  Firstly,  Diane has already used her medical leave from work earlier this year to be there for Magnus during his first treatments.  Her time off to be in hospital with him in the months ahead, will be completely without pay. Travel costs, food, accommodations, and of course the costs resulting in Diane not being able to work for eight to ten weeks, are overwhelming for a single mom. We have also learned that certain components to his treatment are NOT covered by MSP, they are the responsibility of the patient/family. Secondly,  I love them, I want to help ease their burden anyway that I can. Diane has entrusted me with the management of the funds raised through this campaign. The funds will be transferred into my personal bank account and then etransfered to Diane as requested. As well, GoFundMe has approved this arrangement. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all of you kind people who have taken the time to care about, share about and hopefully reach out and contribute to 'A MIRACLE FOR MAGNUS'. Your love and support is invaluable. If you choose to support this cause in another other way, perhaps with hotel coupons, gas cards, restaurant gift cards, these too, would be greatly appreciated! Feel free to mail them to  'A MIRACLE FOR MAGNUS' c/o Leisa Howell 811 Toovey Road, Kelowna, British Columbia, V1X 6P9 Please share our story, even if you are not in a position to help or contribute to 'A MIRACLE FOR MAGNUS', please send Magnus your positive thoughts, prayers and healing energy.  With Love and Thanks, Leisa Howell