Eva Slays the Leukemia Dragon

Eva had leukemia.

Eva has leukemia.

And we are devastated.

Eva (now aged 6) was 5 years old when diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia on Thursday 7th November 2019.

She had 3 rounds of chemotherapy at Christchurch Hospital with the leukemia proving to be very stubborn, never getting into remission. Despite this, her bone marrow transplant (BMT/SCT) was approved and on the 19th of March 2020 Eva received the transplant at Starship hospital in Auckland. New Zealand was in a lockdown due to COVID19 so Robin, and little brother William relocated to Auckland so the family could be together. 8 weeks later they flew back home to Springston in Christchurch.

It was a tough road, but the bone marrow transplant was working, and on 20th July 2020 friends and family gathered at the CHOC ward in Christchurch Hospital to watch Eva ring the end of treatment bell! It was a wonderful sight with many tears shed.

The past 9 months, it's been a joy to watch Eva grow and be a kid again. Returning to school, regrowinghair, sleepovers with friends, camping, swimming in the school pool, laughing - just being a Kiwi kid.

Last week, their lives turned upside down again, when a routine blood test detected leukemia once again. We are beyond devastated for the Sallabanks family.

She will return to Christchurch Hospital to restart chemotherapy, and hopefully have a second bone marrow transplant approved at Starship Hospital. The first time was hard and this time will be harder.

William is due to start school at the end of May, and Robin will need to go to reduced hours at work. Not having to worry about the financial side of life was a huge relief for the family during Eva's treatment the first time around.

Let's rally behind Eva and give her family the financial support they need while they fight this leukemia.

We are here to be their village through this battle, for as long as it takes.

The money will be used to assist the family with extra costs they will have over the next few months. For example, petrol costs, household costs, child care for little brother William, loss of income, and all additional costs that will come with Eva receiving treatment in hospital, full-time with a parent.

You can follow their ups and downs: https://www.facebook.com/Eva-Slays-the-Leukemia-Dragon-109759613809404/

Their previous page on Givealittle: https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/eva-slays-the-leukemia-dragon