Squamish residents seeking to help the family of a youngster who recently underwent surgery for a brain tumour have stepped up efforts to help the family make ends meet in response to the latest developments in the saga of five-year-old Jasmine Blake.
Not long after The Chief first reported on the Blake family's plight on March 16, the results of post-surgical testing on the youngster came back. Doctors at B.C. Children's Hospital determined that while surgery to remove the tumour was successful, follow-up treatment that's not available in Canada was needed, family friend Anna Heap wrote in an email to The Chief on Tuesday (April 3).
The Blakes are now in Boston, where Jasmine is undergoing specialized "proton therapy" that treats the cancer while minimizing the risks associated with radiation therapy, Heap said. Jasmine will have to undergo the treatment for the next three or four months, she said.
B.C.'s Medical Services Plan (MSP) covers the cost of the treatment, but doesn't cover the cost of travel and accommodation, outside doctor and/or nursing care or medical supplies, Heap said. Therefore those seeking to help the Blakes have increased their overall goal to $70,000, Heap said.
A fundraiser at The Living Room on March 29 raised more than $11,000, she said. Friends are in the process of setting up a fundraising website, but in the meantime those wishing to donate can do so by going to the "Help Rick and Lisa Blake" page on Facebook. Also, an account has been set up at Squamish Savings in their name, No. 380188, or cheques can be mailed to the Blakes, P.O. Box 3452, Garibaldi Highlands V0N 1T0.
