On Christmas Eve, four-year-old Asha was diagnosed with leukemia. What started as an emergency room visit for fever and vomiting turned into an urgent ambulance transfer to BC Children's Hospital. On Christmas Day, a team of doctors performed a bone marrow biopsy confirming that Asha has acute myeloid leukemia. Less than 48 hours after diagnosis, she began chemotherapy.
Asha will be living at the hospital full-time for the next 8–10 months—returning home in Fall 2026, if there are no complications. Her parents Joel and April are staying at Ronald McDonald House to be with her through every round of chemo, every difficult day, and every small victory.
Asha is a happy, energetic girl who springs into everything she does with full force. She is kind, inquisitive, and full of love for everyone around her. She loves unicorns, purple, constant wardrobe changes, and singing and dancing to her favourite KPop Demon Hunters songs. If anyone has the strength to overcome AML, she does.
Joel and April are also parents to Reed, 9, and Ember, 7—two kids who need care and stability while their little sister fights to get well.
Joel teaches biblical studies at Northwest College & Seminary and Trinity Western University; April is a paediatric registered nurse with Fraser Health. In their time off they enjoy going to Comicon events together. They are deeply involved in their church community and loved by many. Both are stepping away from work to focus entirely on Asha's treatment. This fundraiser is being organized by two close friends who have known them for over a decade.
BC's healthcare system covers Asha's medical care—what it doesn't cover is 8+ months of lost income, childcare for Reed and Ember, travel between home and hospital, housing, utilities, meals, parking, and the daily expenses that accumulate when a family is stretched across two places for the better part of a year.
Our goal is $75,000 to carry this family through Asha's treatment. Every dollar—whether $20 or $200—goes directly to keeping them whole through this fight. Your generosity means Joel and April can focus on what matters most: helping their daughter get well while keeping Reed and Ember's world as steady as possible.
Please share Asha's story, and if you can, leave words of encouragement—Joel and April would love to read them. If you are the praying type, we ask for continued prayers for Asha's healing, for strength and peace for Joel and April, and comfort and stability for Reed and Ember.
A note on other support: Many have asked about meal trains and other ways to help. Because chemotherapy compromises Asha’s immune system, the family can’t accept meals or physical gifts during treatment. Financial contributions, shares, and messages of encouragement are the most meaningful ways to support them right now. PC grocery gift cards are also welcome.
