Briana’s treatment plan
Donation protected
“Hi, my name is Brianna Rojas Castilla. I am very brave because I never stop fighting. Mom and Dad say I am their super hero and very strong, they told me I am their best God’s blessing and a gift from heaven. They also say that I WILL MAKE IT!!!” Thank you for helping Yenny and Diego in their journey to treat their daughter’s brain cancer. Brianna’s dad and mom are now going through their most challenging but enlightening experience in their lives.
6 years ago, God blessed them by having a little angel named Brianna, who of course means their entire world. Love, happiness, light and the whole meaning of their life are shaped by her existence.
Brianna is a bright, active, beautiful little girl who takes an active interest in everything around her. Until recently, she was taking dance, skating and gymnastics lessons, and was also learning to play the piano. She is friendly, loving, fun and spirited. Always displaying a genuine interested in giving love to everyone and voicing the importance of the words “family and love” as the foundation of her world.
Everything was looking up and life was finally getting a little easier for the Rojas Castilla family. The future looked bright. That was until July, 2018. Shortly after Brianna’s 6th birthday, their lives changed drastically. Brianna was diagnosed with a cancerous tumor in her brain. The tumor was the size of an egg. Within days she had surgery to remove the tumor, and tests began to determine the type of cancer and her prognosis. After recovery from the surgery, she underwent her first chemotherapy treatment, hoping to avoid Radiation therapy, as part of her medical plan. The aftermath was severe, with extreme nausea, vomiting, ulcers, and extreme fatigue. She was in the hospital for almost 4 weeks. Finally, she was released back to home, where she was for 1 and a half days, until she had to return for her second chemotherapy treatment. The repercussions from her second treatment were this time more severe. Again, she had to be
hospitalized to manage her critical condition. They were also asked to do a stem cell rescue,
which meant going down to the Alberta Children’s Hospital in Calgary for the treatment. The problem was, her white and all her blood cell counts were extremely low, most times at 0.0, preventing the procedure from taking place, so they had to wait. And wait. Finally, her count went slightly up, and they made the drive to Calgary, only for her cell count to plummet again. After 10 days of waiting in Calgary, it was recommended that she undergo a bone marrow Stem cell collection. This is a painful and invasive surgery, but necessary, in Brianna’s case.
They returned to Edmonton at the end of November, to prepare for another round of chemotherapy. However, Diego noticed that Brianna seemed disoriented. He immediately took her to hospital, insisting on another brain scan, which was performed. Much to their surprise, they saw that the tumor had re-grown. The chemotherapy had not worked, and now they needed to investigate a new therapy to help save her life, and to cure her. Now, she had to have her second brain surgery. Brianna has the fortune to have an amazing oncology and neurosurgery team at the Stollery Children’s Hospital, who recommended Proton Radiation, and have sent the family to the University of Florida Proton Therapy center, in Jacksonville, Florida. This treatment is not currently available in Canada. They will need to be there for two months, so Brianna can undergo a series of radiation treatments to her brain, and nervous system. Before even starting her treatment, the team of experts found out that unfortunately her tumor has come back again, not only one but now two masses. So it was now recommended for her to complete ASAP all the radiation treatment and come back to Canada for her third Brain surgery and to continue more chemotherapy, followed by a Stem cell rescue. She already began her radiation treatment, where she is expected to complete 30 cycles. Since her diagnosis in mid-July, Diego has been unable to work, and both parents are dedicating their time and attention to their daughter, as they battle this daunting disease together. And now the family needs your help with the financial requirements involved with spending
two months in the United States and also continuing this battle afterwards; hoping and praying for the best outcome: to save and cure their beloved Brianna, who their love and life.
6 years ago, God blessed them by having a little angel named Brianna, who of course means their entire world. Love, happiness, light and the whole meaning of their life are shaped by her existence.
Brianna is a bright, active, beautiful little girl who takes an active interest in everything around her. Until recently, she was taking dance, skating and gymnastics lessons, and was also learning to play the piano. She is friendly, loving, fun and spirited. Always displaying a genuine interested in giving love to everyone and voicing the importance of the words “family and love” as the foundation of her world.
Everything was looking up and life was finally getting a little easier for the Rojas Castilla family. The future looked bright. That was until July, 2018. Shortly after Brianna’s 6th birthday, their lives changed drastically. Brianna was diagnosed with a cancerous tumor in her brain. The tumor was the size of an egg. Within days she had surgery to remove the tumor, and tests began to determine the type of cancer and her prognosis. After recovery from the surgery, she underwent her first chemotherapy treatment, hoping to avoid Radiation therapy, as part of her medical plan. The aftermath was severe, with extreme nausea, vomiting, ulcers, and extreme fatigue. She was in the hospital for almost 4 weeks. Finally, she was released back to home, where she was for 1 and a half days, until she had to return for her second chemotherapy treatment. The repercussions from her second treatment were this time more severe. Again, she had to be
hospitalized to manage her critical condition. They were also asked to do a stem cell rescue,
which meant going down to the Alberta Children’s Hospital in Calgary for the treatment. The problem was, her white and all her blood cell counts were extremely low, most times at 0.0, preventing the procedure from taking place, so they had to wait. And wait. Finally, her count went slightly up, and they made the drive to Calgary, only for her cell count to plummet again. After 10 days of waiting in Calgary, it was recommended that she undergo a bone marrow Stem cell collection. This is a painful and invasive surgery, but necessary, in Brianna’s case.
They returned to Edmonton at the end of November, to prepare for another round of chemotherapy. However, Diego noticed that Brianna seemed disoriented. He immediately took her to hospital, insisting on another brain scan, which was performed. Much to their surprise, they saw that the tumor had re-grown. The chemotherapy had not worked, and now they needed to investigate a new therapy to help save her life, and to cure her. Now, she had to have her second brain surgery. Brianna has the fortune to have an amazing oncology and neurosurgery team at the Stollery Children’s Hospital, who recommended Proton Radiation, and have sent the family to the University of Florida Proton Therapy center, in Jacksonville, Florida. This treatment is not currently available in Canada. They will need to be there for two months, so Brianna can undergo a series of radiation treatments to her brain, and nervous system. Before even starting her treatment, the team of experts found out that unfortunately her tumor has come back again, not only one but now two masses. So it was now recommended for her to complete ASAP all the radiation treatment and come back to Canada for her third Brain surgery and to continue more chemotherapy, followed by a Stem cell rescue. She already began her radiation treatment, where she is expected to complete 30 cycles. Since her diagnosis in mid-July, Diego has been unable to work, and both parents are dedicating their time and attention to their daughter, as they battle this daunting disease together. And now the family needs your help with the financial requirements involved with spending
two months in the United States and also continuing this battle afterwards; hoping and praying for the best outcome: to save and cure their beloved Brianna, who their love and life.
Co-organizers (2)
Daniel Vergel
Organizer
Edmonton, AB
Diego Fernando Rojas Luzardo
Beneficiary
Tania Hrebicek
Co-organizer