Mikayla continues to smile before and after treatments.

It's a cliche we've all heard and said: being a kid ain't easy.  It's even harder when you're a toddler coping with a devastating cancer.

That's what 2-year old Mikayla Suri Wolfe is dealing with.  She has a form of cancer called Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia or ALL.  It's a cancer that targets the body's ability to fight off infections by stunting the growth of white blood cells (Lymphocytes).  The cells are born in the bone marrow as 'blasts' and would normally develop into Lymphocytes, but this cancer prevents them from doing that.  The abnormal cells eventually crowd out the existing red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets the body needs.  It leads to bleeding and anemia, bruising and bad infections that can be life-threatening.  Constant blood transfusions are needed in order to survive.

So, not only is this toddler fighting off the cancer, she's also fighting off everyday infections.

Mikayla's Aunt, Amanda Wolfe, says watching her go through this is heartbreaking.

"She goes to the Cancer Care wing at the Children's Hospital two times a week for blood work and for her bandages to be changed, just to prevent infection from that.  She has a PICC Line (Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter) into her heart and onto the cancer area so she doesn't have to be poked everytime she goes in for blood work.  They can just take it right out of that, and that's also where they do her chemotherapy through."

Wolfe adds ALL is not only affecting Mikayla, it is having a devastating effect on the family.  Emotionally, her parents want to be there for her treatments, but financially they are unable to make ends meet to do so.  That's why a fundraiser in Niverville has been organized to help them out.  Wolfe says it's a no brainer for the community to help out.

"Life changes in the blink of an eye, and Mom and Dad should be able to be with Mikayla throughout this process in her life, but that's not so easy when you rely on only one income.  This makes things very hard, and the financial stress is really catching up.  They've already missed weeks of work. To help the family out we are going to hold a fundraiser in Mikayla's name."

The benefit will take place January 27th at Niverville Heritage Centre.  Tickets are on sale now and will be available until the middle of next week (January 11th).  Wolfe says an account called 'Mikayla In Trust' has also been set up at Steinbach Credit Union if people wish to donate.  

For information on the fundraiser, you can call 392-9565 or contact Wolfe directly at amandawolfe@hotmail.com.