Photo credit: globalnews.ca
The Pobyvanets family made a significant leap when they fled their war-torn home in Ukraine in 2023, seeking a fresh start in Nova Scotia. However, their journey has taken a daunting turn.
Recently, their 13-year-old son, Pavlo, was diagnosed with leukemia, a shocking revelation just three weeks ago. “I had a lot of friends. We were hanging out, it was fun. But now, it kind of stopped,” Pavlo expressed, reflecting on how drastically his life has changed.
The family initially came to Canada under a special work permit designed for individuals fleeing the conflict, but the necessity of around-the-clock care for Pavlo during his chemotherapy has forced both parents out of the workforce. “Before the diagnosis, I was working three jobs and my husband was working one job,” said Iryna, Pavlo’s mother, through a translator. “After we found out about his condition, our life flipped upside down, and it became impossible to manage work while needing to care for our son full-time.”
To alleviate some of the financial burden, a GoFundMe campaign was launched, which has successfully raised over $20,000 since March. Iryna expressed her immense gratitude for the support from their new community, highlighting how these funds will enable her to remain at her son’s side throughout this challenging fight. “I can’t afford to give up. My son is my life. I’ll do everything I can for him and I’ll fight for him,” she stated with determination.
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Source
globalnews.ca