Gabriella, Leukemia Superhero!
Donation protected
Out of the Blue
Gabriella "Gabs" Kovach is six years old. She loves the movie "Coraline" and has seen it "like a zillion times." She dresses up like Rapunzel (while singing "In Summer" by Olaf from Frozen), and likes to meet new friends at school and at church. She loves dogs and knows that when she gets one she's naming it Sunshine. And when she grows up, Gabs wants to be a Construction Worker so she can give people homes.
Gabs is like SO many other six-year-olds in our country: endless energy, eyes full of wonder, an impossibly big smile, and a beautiful hunger for all that life is beginning to reveal. In short, she's coming into her own in big and powerful ways...and she was just diagnosed with leukemia.
The Facts
Like any parents who get this news, Jennifer and Jon were initially devastated, overwhelmed, and lost. Where do you begin to process cancer in a child? How do you make sense of something that wasn't even on the radar the day before? The unknowns seemed endless and visions of Gabriella's future, and their shared futures, instantly broke, morphed or halted.
As tests came in and results were compiled, the facts started to arrive:
1. The Good News: Of the two most common kinds of childhood leukemia, Gabs has the better one. It's called Pre-B (ALL) Leukemia. The 5-year survival rate for children with this kind of leukemia has greatly increased and is now 85% with proper treatment!
Shaving Dad's head...Mom is next!
2. The Challenging News: The cause of Gabriella 's leukemia, however, is a rare mutation called iAMP21. Found in only 2% of leukemia patients globally, iAMP21 is a mutation of her 21st chromosome, which somehow causes her chromosome to produce cancer in the form of leukemia. It means that an aggressive, intense, and longer (usually 2-3 more months) treatment of chemotherapy is necessary. In more relatable terms, it means that: her body will be more exhausted; her immune system will be more fragile; her hair will be gone longer; and her energy, spunk, and sass will be needed more than ever! Gabs will be fighting a tough and persistent battle for the next three years.
The Financial Reality
Though we are beyond grateful for the hopeful prognosis, the financial reality of this literally life-saving treatment is staggering. In 2009, the average cost of pediatric hospital visits alone for children with leukemia was $55,900*. Add to this the incidental expenses that pile up: missed work for both parents, mileage to and from the hospital, adaptive equipment, and the ongoing expenses of six children and it quickly becomes overwhelming! In an effort to begin to tackle these expenses, our goal for this GoFundMe is $25,000. Your gift will make this possible.
The Uncles brought the Rennaissance Festival to Gabs!
Strong and Courageous - Birth of a Superhero!
Times of change and struggle have a way of bringing out our strength and courage. Armed with the superpowers of faith, humor, love and kindness, Gabs WILL overcome leukemia.
Thank You for Making a Difference! Please Give.
That thing that we ALL fear will happen to our child has happened to our child, but we are united and committed to giving Gabs the most incredible chance at life! Treatment is already underway so your gift today would be greatly appreciated. Whether you give $10 or $1,000, YOU make a difference for Gabs and for our family.
We understand that there are many things in life you give your money to, but know that this gift will DIRECTLY change the life of a child. We are all connected - every one of us - and what we do for one we do for all of us. Thank you for helping Gabs get well again, and for letting her share her heart, smile, and courage with the world for many years to come.
God has blessed us in so many ways. Thank you for your continued prayers, friendship and support. We love you.
The Kovach and Saiz Families
Please share this campaign with friends and family on Facebook! Together, we will reach our goal. :)
Visit our CaringBridge page for updates and photos from Gabriella's journey:
https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/hopeforgabs/journal
* Warner, E., Kirchhoff, A., Nam, G., & Fluchel, M. (2014). Financial Burden of Pediatric Cancer for Patients and Their Families. Journal of Oncology Practice.
Gabriella "Gabs" Kovach is six years old. She loves the movie "Coraline" and has seen it "like a zillion times." She dresses up like Rapunzel (while singing "In Summer" by Olaf from Frozen), and likes to meet new friends at school and at church. She loves dogs and knows that when she gets one she's naming it Sunshine. And when she grows up, Gabs wants to be a Construction Worker so she can give people homes.
Gabs is like SO many other six-year-olds in our country: endless energy, eyes full of wonder, an impossibly big smile, and a beautiful hunger for all that life is beginning to reveal. In short, she's coming into her own in big and powerful ways...and she was just diagnosed with leukemia.
The Facts
Like any parents who get this news, Jennifer and Jon were initially devastated, overwhelmed, and lost. Where do you begin to process cancer in a child? How do you make sense of something that wasn't even on the radar the day before? The unknowns seemed endless and visions of Gabriella's future, and their shared futures, instantly broke, morphed or halted.
As tests came in and results were compiled, the facts started to arrive:
1. The Good News: Of the two most common kinds of childhood leukemia, Gabs has the better one. It's called Pre-B (ALL) Leukemia. The 5-year survival rate for children with this kind of leukemia has greatly increased and is now 85% with proper treatment!
Shaving Dad's head...Mom is next!2. The Challenging News: The cause of Gabriella 's leukemia, however, is a rare mutation called iAMP21. Found in only 2% of leukemia patients globally, iAMP21 is a mutation of her 21st chromosome, which somehow causes her chromosome to produce cancer in the form of leukemia. It means that an aggressive, intense, and longer (usually 2-3 more months) treatment of chemotherapy is necessary. In more relatable terms, it means that: her body will be more exhausted; her immune system will be more fragile; her hair will be gone longer; and her energy, spunk, and sass will be needed more than ever! Gabs will be fighting a tough and persistent battle for the next three years.
The Financial Reality
Though we are beyond grateful for the hopeful prognosis, the financial reality of this literally life-saving treatment is staggering. In 2009, the average cost of pediatric hospital visits alone for children with leukemia was $55,900*. Add to this the incidental expenses that pile up: missed work for both parents, mileage to and from the hospital, adaptive equipment, and the ongoing expenses of six children and it quickly becomes overwhelming! In an effort to begin to tackle these expenses, our goal for this GoFundMe is $25,000. Your gift will make this possible.
The Uncles brought the Rennaissance Festival to Gabs!Strong and Courageous - Birth of a Superhero!
Times of change and struggle have a way of bringing out our strength and courage. Armed with the superpowers of faith, humor, love and kindness, Gabs WILL overcome leukemia.
Thank You for Making a Difference! Please Give.
That thing that we ALL fear will happen to our child has happened to our child, but we are united and committed to giving Gabs the most incredible chance at life! Treatment is already underway so your gift today would be greatly appreciated. Whether you give $10 or $1,000, YOU make a difference for Gabs and for our family.
We understand that there are many things in life you give your money to, but know that this gift will DIRECTLY change the life of a child. We are all connected - every one of us - and what we do for one we do for all of us. Thank you for helping Gabs get well again, and for letting her share her heart, smile, and courage with the world for many years to come.
God has blessed us in so many ways. Thank you for your continued prayers, friendship and support. We love you.
The Kovach and Saiz Families
Please share this campaign with friends and family on Facebook! Together, we will reach our goal. :)
Visit our CaringBridge page for updates and photos from Gabriella's journey:
https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/hopeforgabs/journal
* Warner, E., Kirchhoff, A., Nam, G., & Fluchel, M. (2014). Financial Burden of Pediatric Cancer for Patients and Their Families. Journal of Oncology Practice.
Organizer and beneficiary
Jason Gruhl
Organizer
Broomfield, CO
Jennifer and Jon Kovach
Beneficiary