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Benefit for Tianna raises $30,000

Lac La Biche area resident Colleen Skyrpan never imagined her 11-year-old daughter Tianna – who has donated her hair twice to Kids for Cancer – would end up with T-Cell Lym­phoma.
Tianna Skyrpan helps John Cardinal draw names for a raffle at her benefit supper and silent auction on Nov. 13. Cardinal also volunteered his singing talents at the event.
Tianna Skyrpan helps John Cardinal draw names for a raffle at her benefit supper and silent auction on Nov. 13. Cardinal also volunteered his singing talents at the event.

Lac La Biche area resident Colleen Skyrpan never imagined her 11-year-old daughter Tianna – who has donated her hair twice to Kids for Cancer – would end up with T-Cell Lym­phoma. She was also unprepared and overwhelmed by the support the community showed her family on Nov. 13 when a benefit dinner and silent auction were held in Tianna’s name.

More than 320 people attended the benefit dinner and silent auction at the the Arthur and Ania Cadieux Agricultural Grounds on Nov. 13, which raised over $30,000, said close family friend Lorie McDonald.

“It went very well. A bunch of different people attended; the community support was so great. This has been tough on the family so it was nice for them to see that the community firmly stands behind them. The amount raised was amazing, but I think the support was even more valuable. They are going to need it throughout their journey.”

McDonald has known the Skyrpans for many years, as both families home school their children.

Colleen said she was happy, overwhelmed, pleased, and surprised by the turnout, and the outpouring of support from the community.

“It was really special for us to have so many people come out. It was amazing.”

Organizers of the benefit dinner can attest to that support.

“So many friends and family helped organize this event, and Kim Seminowich really spearheaded the whole thing. It was a collaborative effort by many people,” said McDonald.

T-Cell Lymphoma is disease of the lymph system that compromises the immune system but manifests in different forms in the body. Tianna has a large mass by her heart. T-Cell Lymphoma is one of the most common cancers for someone Tianna’s age. She was diagnosed on Oct. 4, although she was healthy and completely asymptomatic up to that point. She has 108 weeks of treatment ahead of her, which will include chemotherapy. She drives with her family to the Stollery Children’s Hospital in Edmonton once each week, where she re­ceives treatment. Every three weeks, she has to go in and stay for an entire week.

“She is definitely a lot stronger than I ever expected her to be,” said Colleen. “She just finished her fifth week of treatment. We’re very grateful and happy for the care we’ve had at the Stollery. They’ve been very nice.”

Tianna received a surprise visit from four CFR cowboys at the hospital while she was there two weeks ago, and she also received tickets to attend the rodeo.

“She loves horses, so that was a really big deal for her,” said her mom.

Though there are challenges ahead, Skyrpan and her family remain positive.

“The research that’s been done (around T-Cell Lymphoma) is phenomenal. It’s also a bit easier now that we have a timeframe and we know about the treatments, and that we have so much support.”

McDonald said many people are praying for Tianna, and all the support will help the family through this hard time.

“Tianna is such a delicate little girl, but she has such a strong heart and personality and she’s going to be fine.”

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