A young Penticton family is facing something no family should have to face.  Their 3 year old daughter, Chloe has been diagnosed with cancer.

Jon and Gina Kroeger and Chloe’s brother Lucas have been at BC Children’s hospital since March 28, 2012 as the doctors diagnosed the tumor in her cheek.  The diagnosis came on Friday, April 5 – it is  Rhabdomyosarcoma.  This is one of the most curable types of cancer but because of the location and how it is situated, Chloe will be in for a long journey with chemotherapy for 42 weeks and radiation to start at week 12, as well as other treatment that may be needed to help her.   They may be sent to a hospital in the US specializing in proton radiation.  They will have to travel to Vancouver every week for day chemo and every 3 weeks will be a more potent chemotherapy that will require staying over at least one night.

They cannot predict whether there will be any long term affects from this cancer and/or the treatment and therefore it is unknown as to how long Chloe will continue to need care, including many times they will need to travel to and from Vancouver.

Jon and Gina both grew up in Oliver and graduated from SOSS.  Both of them  now live and work in Penticton but still have close ties in Oliver with many family members still here.  They will be in for some unexpected expenses and while they are at BC Children’s they have not been able to work.  They are also facing added expenses for travel and likely long term medications.

If anyone wishes to help this family financially,  donations can be made to the Chloe Kroeger trust fund, Valley First Credit Union, Oliver Branch, Acct# 914978-201, transit # 16650; mailing address- PO Box 340, Oliver. BC V0H 1T0, 250-498-6277 or any VFirst branch.

This is a very hard time for the entire family and it is hoped that the community can help take away the added financial stress.  The family thanks everyone for their support and prayers.