Supporting Lynnea  (NeNe) Holmstrom

A Local Family  Needs Support

On November 10th  2013 Alanea (Baptiste) Holmstrom brought her daughter into the emergency room  because she was experiencing pain in her legs and having a difficult time walking. By the end of the day they were being air-lifted to Vancouver  Children’s Hospital and had a diagnoses, one that would make any parent shudder  – baby Lynnea has Leukemia; the official diagnoses being Children’s ALL (Acute  Lymphoblastic Leukemia). Since her arrival at Children’s she has already  undergone 3 chemotherapy sessions, had to have 3 blood transfusions and 2  surgeries. This is such horrific and terrifying experience for anybody to face,  especially for a little girl that does not turn 2 until December  1st.

Lynnea, or “NeNe”  as she is so lovingly referred to by her family and friends can be best  described by her Mom as a “beautiful little person that captures everyone’s  attention with her smile, her laugh and her warmth.” Everyone sees their  children through eyes of adoration and love and Alanea & Reid Holmstrom are  no different.   To her big brother Gustav, she is a playmate and the  apple of his eye. Unfortunately their daughter and Gus’s baby sister is now  facing a very serious illness that will require months and months of aggressive  and painful treatments. These treatments that are necessary to save “NeNe’s”  life also mean that for her parents to be there to support her, they cannot  work. If everything runs smoothly and she responds well to the chemotherapy the  family can still expect to be in Vancouver for a minimum of 8 months and then  have to take monthly trips to Children’s Hospital in Vancouver for follow up  appointments and monitoring that will last at least another  year.

There are  fundraising events already planned to help with expenses and a Facebook page  (Supporting Lynnea “NeNe” Holmstrom) set up to offer support and encouragement  to the family. The first event will be an

Indian Taco Diner and Loonie Auction  is being held on the November 26th at the Osoyoos Indian Band Community Centre  and Bingo Hall at 5:30 pm.

A bottle drive is also planned for January 4th, 2014.  Donation Jars will be placed at local Businesses in the Oliver, Osoyoos and  Penticton areas. We are also looking at having a silent auction and dance to be  held sometime in March. If individuals or businesses would like to make a  financial contribution or a donation of some kind of service or items that can  be raffled and/or auctioned off please Contact Ramona Bent at (250) 485-8246 & Darlene George at (250)498-9026 or Leona Baptiste (778) 994-1406 . 

Thanks Leona