Fundraising page organized for local mom diagnosed with brain tumour

FORT ST.JOHN, B.C. — Friends of a Fort St. John family have organized a fundraising page in support of Maryna Volodymyr, who was recently diagnosed with a brain tumour immediately after giving birth to her newborn son.

Maryna, and her husband, Vlad, have lived in Fort St. John for nearly seven years after immigrating to Canada in 2013.

According to Cassy Venglyarskyy, one of the fundraising organizers, the goal is to support the family during this difficult time.

“A week ago, Maryna and Vlad walked into the Grande Prairie hospital to welcome a healthy newborn baby boy, but after the birth, an MRI was done, and Maryna was transferred to Edmonton for emergency surgery,” said Venglyarskyy. 

After her son was born, Maryna was diagnosed with a 3.5 cm brain tumour and immediately sent to Edmonton for emergency surgery. The first operation to remove the tumour was unsuccessful, although most of the tumour was removed and sent away for a biopsy during a second surgery.

The fundraising page mentioned that Maryna remains in critical condition as they still don’t know the long-term effects of surgery. Maryna’s symptoms are affecting her vision and causing short-term memory loss.  

According to Venglyarskyy, Volodymyr recently lost his job as a social worker, further causing more trouble to the family. Vlad worked as a social worker in Fort St John at the Community Bridge in homelessness prevention.

Vlad and Maryna’s parents are trying to come to Canada to be with their family during this time.

Those interested in making a financial contribution do so on the fundraiser’s GoFundMe page.

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