An angel-faced Windsor girl is pressing on with her fight against cancer.
Three-year-old Irelynn Montgomery is battling acute lymphocytic leukemia and has been undergoing chemotherapy treatment at the Children’s Hospital at London Health Sciences Centre. While Irelynn continues her fight, her family is pushing through challenges and organizing a fundraiser to help pay for her care and transportation to and from Windsor.
Her parents, Jen and Jay, thought something was off when their vivacious daughter began complaining of leg pain. When the pain didn't go away on its own, Jen and Jay took her to the emergency department at Windsor Regional Hospital. Doctors originally diagnosed a broken leg, but Irelynn was not in the severe pain associated with a broken leg. Blood tests soon revealed the awful truth; leukemia.
Jay Oles, Irelynn's uncle, told Windsor's Country 95.9FM morning host Morgan Ryan that in addition to the ups and downs Jen and Jay have been handling with Irelynn's treatment, they had some bad luck a couple of weeks ago.
"Someone stole their Jeep right out of their driveway while they were in London tending to their sick daughter," said Oles. "People that steal Jeeps like that, they want certain things off of them, so they hide them in garages, take certain things that they need, and then just leave them there till they're forgotten."
Oles said the family is looking for financial help since neither Jen nor Jay can work due to Irelynn's illness. A GoFundMe page was created at the beginning of November, and as of Tuesday night, it raised over $3,300 out of a $5,000 goal.
Details are being finalized for a pasta fundraiser to help the family with treatment-related expenses. It is scheduled for February 1 at the Royal Canadian Legion branch 594 on Howard Avenue in Windsor. Oles said they have lined up some key entertainment for the event.
"We have Jody Raffoul," said Oles. "A friend of mine named Bobby Gouin, he used to be the frontman for Mr. Please, he's now called the One Man Band, and he's going to be there."
You can follow Irelynn's story and get details on the upcoming fundraiser by visiting the official Facebook page.
-With files from Adelle Loiselle
