Family of girl with cancer seek transplant in U.S.
The mother of a three-year-old Calgary girl is looking to doctors in the United States for a vital surgery that she hopes could save her daughter’s life.
Greta Marofke is battling a rare liver cancer called Hepatoblastoma, found in fewer than one in a million children.
She was diagnosed mere days before her second birthday. After two major surgeries and multiple chemotherapy sessions, Greta had “no evidence of disease.” Then, it came back a year later.
“We had the wind knocked out of our sails all over again,” said Lindsey Marofke, Greta’s mother.
“The difference in hearing it the second time was, ‘OK, let’s take care of it.’ ”
Since then, the family has found no luck securing a liver transplant in Canada.
After being turned down in Calgary, Edmonton and Toronto, Lindsey made a call to Dr. James Geller at the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital in Ohio. Geller has a special interest in the rare disease. He might be Greta’s last chance. Greta is already undergoing treatment to stabilize the tumour, which is part of the evaluation process. In one to two months, the family will learn if Greta has been approved for a transplant. Her mother said there is no guarantee.
“If she has a chance, we have to push forward,” Marofke said. “I know what we are up against, but we are being offered hope here.”
Despite the circumstances, Greta’s childlike spirit shines.
“She’s had so much happen to her in her little body and little life,” Marofke said. “She’s cried but she doesn’t dwell on it. She bounces back so quickly.”
The evaluation, transplant surgery, followup care and chemotherapy will cost about $1.2 million. Alberta health care will not cover the costs of the surgery, Marofke said.
Katie Findlay, a family friend of 15 years, started a GoFundMe campaign to raise money to help cover the costs of Greta’s treatment and living expenses for the family while they stay in Cincinnati.
Just over $150,000 had been raised as of Saturday. The goal is half a million dollars.