After battling leukemia as a young child, Molly has been cancer-free for 10 years.
Molly is now 13 years old and in Grade 8, far removed from the years where she was plunged into a world of surgeries and chemotherapy treatments.
“I want to thank everyone that helped me when I was sick,” Molly said. “I hated having cancer and I hope that I never get it again. I hope we find a cure so that other kids don’t have to go through what I did.”
After enduring so much, Cara Weizenbluth, Molly’s mother, said the family is trying to make every day count.
“There are days it feels like a lifetime ago that she was sick and other times it feels like just yesterday we were in that tiny hospital room,” said Cara. “We all wonder how we did it. The truth is you do anything for your kids and staying by her side was exactly where we needed to be.”
In 2018, 1006Alive first shared Molly’s story. Seven years later, we followed up with her to see the lasting impact UFCW Canada’s fundraising efforts have made in the fight against blood cancers.
Today, Molly just wants to be a “normal” kid, Cara added. She is an avid horseback rider, venturing out every week with a horse named Ghost, who has become part of her family.
“Molly continues to be a very kind and sweet young lady,” Cara said. “We are very proud of her and how far she has come.”
Molly’s story is a testament to the incredible progress, which is being made in the fight against leukemia and lymphoma.
Since 1985, UFCW Canada members have donated more than $54 million to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Canada LLSC.
“The dedication of UFCW Canada members has contributed to one of the greatest success stories in cancer research,” said Ryan O’Quinn, a Director at the LLSC. “Over the past 20 years, blood cancers have seen the greatest increase in survival rates of any cancer type. These incredible advances would not have been possible without the passion, generosity, and commitment of UFCW members nationwide.”
UFCW Canada’s donations have gone towards funding research, improving treatments and giving patients and their families hope.
In the last 20 years, the LLSC reports that the five-year survival rates have increased by 19 per cent for leukemia, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and multiple myeloma.
“Even though Molly is cancer-free, the risk of relapse is always there and as a parent, that fear never leaves you,” Cara said. “All we want is a cure so Molly never has to endure the suffering she did years ago. By supporting the LLSC, you help us get one step closer to a cure and remind this community that they are not suffering alone.”
In November, LLSC launched the Labour of Love campaign, in recognition of the historic 40-year partnership between the charity and UFCW Canada. This initiative, Ryan said, will feature stories of loss, survivorship and triumph.
“Thanks to the unwavering commitment of UFCW Canada members, countless individuals and families have been given the opportunity to create more memories, more milestones, and more moments of celebration that might otherwise have been lost,” Ryan said.
To patients and families facing a similar situation, Cara advises them to take it one day at a time.
“The entire situation is so overwhelming and fast-moving,” Cara said. “I realized early on that the best I could do was to take it one day at a time.”
This year, Molly’s family participated in their ninth Light the Night walk and have raised a total of $125,000 for the LLSC.
Cara thanked UFCW Canada members for their support.
“I am so grateful to all of you for making such a huge impact on this community and for supporting our family,” she said. “I feel so lucky to have both my girls happy and healthy.”
To donate to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Canada, please visit https://www.bloodcancers.ca/
