Sweetgrass Girl Needs Kidney, Pancreas

Sweetgrass Girl Needs Kidney, Pancreas

Friday, June 05, 2009 at 13:17

 

 

A Sweetgrass First Nation family is trying to raise money to cover the costs they will incur when their diabetic daughter receives a double organ transplant.

 

Jeanine Arcand is the oldest of five daughters in the family of Carmel and Ricky Arcand.

 

She’s been diabetic since she was eight years old.

 

Her kidneys shut down more than 18 months ago. She goes for kidney dialysis four times a week.

 

Doctors in Edmonton want to transplant Jeanine’s kidney and pancreas. They put her on a waiting list for a kidney and pancreas transplant almost a year ago.

 

So far, the family has held three fundraisers over a year and a half — two in North Battleford, and one at the Moosomin First Nation.

 

They’ve raised about $3,000, which is in a trust fund at Scotiabank.

 

Jeanine’s mom, Carmel, is grateful for the support they’ve received.

 

She says a lot of people have shown up for the fundraisers, and as word has gotten out, people have expressed both interest and concern about her daughter’s medical situation.

 

Jeanine says it’s hard to wait for the transplants, because she’d like to be able to live a normal life.