Treatment for Abi Parada

Celeste Abigail Parada (aka Abi) was diagnosed with Rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare form of soft tissue Cancer in July 2015 at age 14. Her initial surgery was followed by 10 months of heavy chemotherapy. Abi was in remission for a year and a half when relapse hit in January 2018. This time, however, surgery was not an option.

Abi’s cancer came back more aggressive as her tumor grew to cover the entire abdominal area in a matter of three weeks. She started chemotherapy again, but the doctors were not optimistic at the rate the tumor was growing. Her family was told to hope for the best, but to be prepared for the worst.

Although the first round of chemo showed a shrinkage of the tumor,  her second round did not show much improvement. After 6 months of chemo and radiation, Abi’s family received news that another tumor was growing in the radiated area and that nothing else could be done.

At this point, traditional medical treatment has run its course for Abi. Medical staff at London Children’s Hospital and Sick Kids in Toronto have no other treatment to offer at this time.

Looking for other treatments outside of Canada, the family has come across Rigvir, a Virotherapy treatment for Cancer patients developed in Latvia. The initial cost for the treatment and three months of virotherapy is €13,850 which is the equivalent to $20,800 plus travel expenses to Latvia. After that the cost is approximately $13,000 every three months for up to two years of treatment.

Abi does not come from a family of means, but her wish is to be able to finish high school next year. She is literally the most kind, caring and compassionate young woman you will ever meet. Despite the circumstances, Abi is filled with hope.

Whenever she is not at the hospital, Abi is studying to catch up on her missed school credits. She loves participating in her church youth group and serving others. Abi always has a positive attitude towards life’s challenges. Most importantly, she deeply wants to continue to fight for her life, but needs our help. 

I believe that Abi deserves a chance at receiving the alternative cancer treatment outlined above. She has already surpassed every medical practitioner’s expectations. 100% of all donations will go towards Abi’s family to fund her treatment. I urge everyone reading this to please give to this campaign of hope for Celeste Abigail Parada. Whether it is $5, $10, $20 or more, every little bit makes this treatment possible. Thank you!!