'We need to tailor it to kids': family presses for childhood cancer research
CTV
Childhood cancer turns life upside down for more than 200 Alberta kids who get a cancer diagnoses each year, and family of a recently-diagnosed Calgary girl are pressing for more research funding.
Childhood cancer turns life upside down for more than 200 Alberta kids who get a cancer diagnoses each year, and family of a recently-diagnosed Calgary girl are pressing for more research funding.
“Paediatric cancer doesn't discriminate. It could be anybody and it's a shock to the system when you hear that your child has cancer,” said Claire Masikewich.
Her daughter, five-year-old Sloane Masikewich was just diagnosed with neuroblastoma in May.
Sloane has started cancer treatment but is still able to do the things she loves, like playing with her animal figurines and riding her bike, but in a few weeks she will have surgery to remove an adrenal gland, followed by intense chemotherapy.
"We know the next phase for her is going to be incredibly hard."
About 237 children in Alberta are diagnosed with cancer each year but up until recently the prognosis was grim.
"None of the children with cancer survived only a few years ago,” said Dr. Aru Narendran who is a paediatric oncology physician with University of Calgary.
