The Salt Spring Island community is coming together to support the family of four-year-old Jasper Danecke, who is being treated for leukemia that was diagnosed on Sunday, March 2.
Close family friend Shael Lampard has organized a GoFundMe campaign to help parents Justin Danecke and Sarah Kyle put their work lives on hold in order to be with Jasper as he undergoes treatment for T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia at BC Children’s Hospital in Vancouver. Danecke is a carpenter and Kyle has a jewellery business. Their daughter Ruby will be a year old in April. Kyle was born and raised on Salt Spring as part of a family with deep roots on the island. Danecke is originally from Ontario, said Lampard.
“Our treatment plan is intensive for this rare T-cell version, so we expect to be in and around the hospital for six to nine months, after which we might be able to go home to Salt Spring Island,” Kyle wrote on the GoFundMe page on March 8.
Lampard said Jasper had been dealing with what was assumed to be a stomach bug for about a week and a half, and seemed to be getting better.
“His energy levels were up on Saturday [March 1] and then Sunday, he woke up and said, ‘Something’s wrong with my body.’ He was very fatigued, very pale, didn’t really have much of an appetite, so they took him to [Lady Minto Hospital] emergency. They did a blood test where they suspected leukemia, so they sent him over to Victoria, where they took another blood test, and then immediately they helicoptered him to Vancouver’s Children’s Hospital, where they then took a spinal fluid sample and bone marrow test and set him up for the first round of chemo treatment the next morning.”
Kyle wrote on the GoFundMe page that Jasper has needed a portacath implanted into his chest and a nasal tube for the chemo medicine treatments, as taking them orally has been a challenge for the youngster.
“There is a really great program here called Child Life, where they work on this and other concepts with Jasper through play therapy,” she said. “They are amazing supports to us!”
Kyle has been staying at the hospital with Jasper while Danecke and Ruby are at Easter Seal House.
As of March 10 the GoFundMe effort had reached almost $44,000 of its $50,000 goal.
“The amount of support that they’re receiving financially and through prayers and words is really just a nod to our community and also how much they’ve put into the community,” said Lampard. “They’re very valued members, and it’s really heartwarming to see the community come together for them.”
“We thank you deeply for the support and feel so loved by our small island community,” Kyle wrote on the page. “The other night Jasper was very involved in getting his vitals taken and looking at the equipment when he said, ‘I can’t sleep, mom, it’s too interesting!’ Jasper is fighting this with all his might right now. Positive energy is coming from this child every day!”
Donations can be made at this gofundme.com page. Messages of support are also welcomed.