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Our Kids - Meet Helena

April 1, 2009 is a day the Kirk family will never forget. This is the day their three-year-old daughter Helena was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).

Helena

Helena, 3
Leukemia

ALL is the most common childhood cancer, characterized by the production of a large number of white blood cells. These cells multiply quickly taking over the bone marrow so that healthy blood cells cannot be made. If left untreated, ALL is fatal. Fortunately, Helena has a good prognosis. She was diagnosed early and began her treatment protocol right away.

Helena’s symptoms began with an earache. Her parents took her to see her paediatrician, who is also a doctor in the Emergency Department at The Hospital for Sick Children. The original symptoms suggested that Helena was likely suffering from an ear infection but as a precaution she was sent for additional testing. Her family’s worst fears were confirmed when a phone call came from her doctor indicating that Helena had cancer. She was rushed to the Emergency Department at SickKids and is currently undergoing cancer treatment.

Since the diagnosis, Helena has had to endure a lot of procedures, needles and chemotherapy treatments. Due to chemotherapy, Helena lost most of her dark hair. Her hair is now beginning to grow back blond and she calls it her "princess hair."

Helena loves the colour purple and adores princesses and fairies. At first, she was scared to come to SickKids because of the treatments she had to undergo but now she has learned to cope and even looks forward to seeing her favourite nurses and clowns at the hospital. Helena is a beautiful little girl who has the ability to capture the hearts of all those who meet her. She appears wise beyond her years and has a spirit that is almost magical.

Helena will continue to undergo treatment for the next two-and-a-half years, which consists of home therapy and lots of treatment and procedures at SickKids.

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