Megan Senn is a bubbly, affectionate person, who loves cats, music, dancing, the colours pink and purple, the movie Frozen, teen magazines and her family and friends. But right now she’s enduring a difficult time.
At the beginning of this month, Megan was diagnosed with leukemia. She is now in BC Children’s Hospital in Vancouver and her mom, Karen Quinton, is staying in her room with her.
Megan has Down syndrome. Megan’s aunt Leslie Stewart explains that because she has special needs, it’s more of a challenge to explain things to her, “so it’s good Karen’s there… They’re in Children’s Hospital, which is great; that’s where she needs to be. It’s excellent care.”
However, it is a big expense and upheaval for the family.
Megan has three siblings: Heather, 19, Courtney, 18, and Connor, 14, and Quinton is a single mom. She is a Grade 1 teacher at Parkview Elementary but has also taught at other district schools.
“I think what the concern for family, first and foremost, is for Megan to get better. And Karen’s a single mom, with a single income,” says Stewart. “So that’s why we’re trying to fundraise. This puts another added expense on the family, on what was already a tight budget.”
To help the family, Parkview Elementary is hosting Family Movie Night fundraiser. The showing of Star Wars: A New Hope on the big screen at the school will be Friday, Oct. 2 at 7 p.m. Admission is $5 per family (kids must be accompanied by an adult).
At the concession, popcorn and juice will be $2.
Megan is now undergoing chemo, and it’s not known how long she will be in hospital. She attended Salmon Arm Secondary last year, but hasn’t been able to go yet this term.
“It’s one day at a time, how well she responds to it. I think there is a good outlook – I hope things will go well. That’s what we’re praying for. It could take up to two years of treatment.”
Even when she’s not receiving treatment, Megan can’t be far away from the hospital.
Megan’s grandpa as well as aunts, uncles and other family members are helping out with Megan’s siblings.
“Megan misses her brothers and sisters, her grandma and grampa – she looks forward to going home, but she’s going to be there for a while.”
To help the family, a GoFundMe account on the Internet has been set up under Megan Senn Recovery Fund at http://www.gofundme.com/6q3mrt38.
Donations can also be made at any branch of Salmon Arm Savings and Credit Union, by asking for the ‘In trust for Megan Senn, account 1626480.’ If people wish to write a cheque, make it out to ‘Leslie Stewart, in trust for Megan Senn.’ There is also a donation bucket set up at the front desk at Parkview Elementary.