An Abbotsford family will now be able to afford medical treatment in Germany for their daughter, thanks to the generosity of a local company.
New World Technologies Inc. has donated the funds to enable Greta Loewen, 7, who was diagnosed two years ago with a rare form of bone cancer, to receive immune-boosting treatment in Germany.
The donation was in response to an Abbotsford News article on Dec. 14 which indicated that funds were being collected towards the estimated $35,000 (US) cost of the treatment.
The company does not wish to say how much they contributed, but Greta’s mom, Heather Munro, posted on the Greta’s Team Facebook page that it is a “very large amount that will make sure we can go ahead with treatment for Greta in Germany.”
She said news of the donation came via a phone call.
“When I got the call, I think I truly was speechless. I really didn’t know what to say. Over the phone it’s hard to reach out and hug someone,” Munro said.
She said the family has a “deep and overwhelming sense of gratitude” for the contribution.
“We have been given the gift of hope, peace and thankfulness. This has lifted such a huge weight from our shoulders. It helps our entire family.”
Greta was diagnosed in December 21014 with a type of cancer – located in her spine – called Ewing’s sarcoma.
The cancer is currently in remission, but the treatment in Germany, which isn’t covered by the Medical Services Plan of B.C., will stimulate her immune system and help her body fight a recurrence.
The treatment is standard in places such as Germany and Japan, but has not yet been approved in Canada and the U.S., and it could be years before it is.
The treatment is available through clinical trial in the U.S., but the cost is more than $300,000 there, compared to the $35,000 expense in Germany.
Munro had previously indicated that the family hopes to travel to Germany next spring or summer.