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Local girl to receive bone marrow transplant

Cynthia Theriault, the 19-year-old Bonnyville girl fighting Leukemia who was a guest of honour at the RCMP Regimental Ball in May, is currently in Calgary preparing for a bone marrow transplant after three bone marrow matches were identified in early

Cynthia Theriault, the 19-year-old Bonnyville girl fighting Leukemia who was a guest of honour at the RCMP Regimental Ball in May, is currently in Calgary preparing for a bone marrow transplant after three bone marrow matches were identified in early May.

Theriault and her family were beneficiaries of the ball, proceeds of which also went to Victims Services.

“(The planning committee) heard that one of the schools in town was running fundraisers for Cynthia,” explained Staff Sgt. Luis Gandolfi, with the Bonnyville RCMP. “Obviously, her cause was a pretty good cause…According to the information we were getting, there was going to be a pretty substantial hit to the family if a donor could be found.”

When the decision had been made, a bone marrow donor had not been identified, but since then, three have been found, Theriault said. The transplant requires Theriault to be in Calgary before the procedure, to receive high doses of chemotherapy and full-body radiation to prepare her body.

The procedure itself is like a blood transfusion, she added, saying it takes about half an hour. Following the transplant, however, she must remain in Calgary for three months to ensure there are no complications.

“Some of that is no doubt funded through healthcare,” said Gandolfi.

“But the intangible expenses are always the ones that get you. We thought it would be a good idea to get on board with the school's idea and donate five dollars from every ticket to go towards Cynthia and her family.”

He presented Theriault with a cheque for $2,500 at the end of last month, as well as a $100 bill that he said an anonymous donor dropped off at the detachment for her, saying they wanted to help but could not attend the ball.

“It feels good,” Theriault said. “It means a lot that people would do that for me. Every donation really helps with the apartment and the food and the travelling.”

“I just hope she gets better,” said Gandolfi.

Theriault's transplant is scheduled for July 12.

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