La Broquerie family thankful for Wishes of Hope

For Andreas and Nelli Wiebe, accepting the gift from Wishes of Hope proved to be a blessing after a time of turmoil.

Their daughter Hannah had completed more than a year in cancer treatment including extensive surgery at SickKids in Toronto.

That was when Southeast Cancer Support Services (SCSS) stepped up.

They had already been a resource for the family, but were happy to be able to grant the family a wish, for Hannah, the now two-year-old in recovery.

“It meant a lot to us,” Andreas said. “Especially after being through such a hard and tough year with our daughter. We felt the warmth and love from people that really cared and gave this gift to Hannah and our whole family.”

He had no trouble remembering the exact date his family’s lives changed.

Hannah, their fifth child, was diagnosed with cancer on Aug. 6, 2024, at the age of one year and two months.

Chemotherapy began on Aug. 17, ending in December.

They went to Toronto for surgery, which happened on Jan. 6. Though at the time they were told to be prepared to stay for three weeks, Hannah was released after only 11 days.

Andreas said the tumour was 10 cm long when first detected. Chemo reduced the size to four cm, and when it was removed it was found to be 80 percent dead with only 20 percent still containing cancer.

“At the beginning they didn’t even know where it started off because it was so big,” he said.

From February to June Hannah underwent more chemo.

Andreas said they were referred to SCSS through Cancer Care in Winnipeg, and it quickly became a blessing.

The newly formed organization is dedicated to supporting individuals and families across the Southeast who are affected by cancer.

Andreas said they were willing to do anything for their daughter regardless of the cost or the way it would change their lives.

“When it’s your child you’re willing to sacrifice everything you have,” he said.

And while the experience was both financially and mentally draining on the family, Andreas said he was thankful to his employer who he said was very supportive.

“They understood,” he said. “I could take any time off that I needed to.”

SCSS came into their lives at the right time.

“It is a burden on the financial side and getting that support was huge,” he said. “It opened my eyes because you don’t really see those sick kids and families that suffer from it unless you’re really deep into it.”

Wishes of Hope, with the help of community partners treated the family to a getaway to Grand Forks. Thanks to CanadInns they stayed in a family suite with access to the waterpark. SCSS provided gift cards to help with fuel and meals, thanks to other businesses and people including Dynamic Chiropractic, Loewen Body Shop, Rob Friesen, South East Travel and RE/MAX.

And while the experience was great for the family, Andreas said it was special because they knew the people that helped really cared and understood what they had gone through.

“It comes from somebody’s heart,” he said. “It’s so beautiful to know that somebody helps you out and wishes you the best for your future.”

Cindi Rempel Patrick, executive director of SCSS said they’re thrilled to see the Wishes of Hope program come to life in such a meaningful way.

“Hannah’s story is one of strength, courage and resilience,” she said. “Providing her family with a chance to create new, positive memories is exactly why this program exists.”

Andreas will always be thankful for all the support he’s received, and he urged others in a similar situation to reach out to SCSS.

He said it can be isolating having a child with cancer who must be protected from others because of their compromised immune system.

“I would say getting some support from other people, it will give them a feeling that they’re not alone,” he said. “There’s other people that went through sicknesses like that and they’re at your back.”

“They’re ready to help, to support in any way and I think families are going to benefit from it huge in the future.”

SCSS says they plan to continue granting wishes to local families facing cancer, ensuring hope, comfort and moments of joy remain possible even in the most difficult times.