Charity hockey game this Saturday for Lyndon Peltier
AUNDECK OMNI KANING—The Peltier family is seeking assistance from community members to roll up their sleeves to help one of their own.
Lyndon (Lynnie) Peltier is presently battling acute myeloid leukemia (AML), a cancer of the blood and bone marrow. AML affects a group of white blood cells called the myeloid cells that typically develop into the various mature blood cells, such as red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. With AML, the bone marrow produces immature cells that become leukemic white blood cells called myeloblasts. These leukemic cells are then unable to function properly and build up, crowding out other healthy cells. The treatments vary, but typically chemotherapy is employed kill these cancerous cells. Unfortunately, healthy cells, including healthy blood-forming cells, are also destroyed by the treatment. Stem cell (immature blood cells) transplant is then utilized to replenish these depleted cells in the host. These new cells are often collected from a compatible donor and are then frozen and stored. Once the patient completes their rounds of chemotherapy the stored stem cells are then given to the patient through an infusion allowing these new cells grow into and restore the body’s depleted supply. Mr. Peltier is in need of such cells if he is to win this fight. His wife, Kendra Madahbee, and his two children Lynndra, 11, and Kennlyn, 6, are asking locals between the ages of 18-35 to get tested to see if they are a genetic match for Mr. Peltier. They are quick to point out that the new process of checking for stem cells consists of simply swabbing the inside of one’s cheeks. If a match is found, blood is drawn, and cells are then synthesized from it. This new process no longer requires the painful tapping of the pelvis hip bones, as had previously been the case, making finding potential donors and donating easier and less painless than ever before.
The Expositor asked Ms. Madahbee how they were holding up in the face of such a trying and frightening time. “Today marks the 91st day that Lynnie’s been fighting,” she said. Her husband has been at Health Sciences North over this time. Ms. Madahbee said she and her family have been staying at the Travelway hotel so that she and the family could remain close to support him. She reports that the family has been staying positive and that the support they’ve gotten from family, friends and the community has been humbling. But the battle isn’t an easy one.
Ms. Madahbee told The Expositor that “It’s unclear if Lynnie’s next round of chemo will be covered. Because of that, we’ve had to start various fundraising campaigns.” These include a GoFundMe page https://www.gofundme.com/f/fund-lyndons-battle-against-aml (which can be found by searching ‘Fund Lyndon’s battle against AML’), which has been up for four days as of press time Monday, and gotten a lot of attention. Ms. Madahbee also made sure to note that there is an exhibition hockey game being organized for this Saturday, April 27 at 7 pm at the M’Chigeeng Arena. There will also be a 50/50 raffle at the event. The funds raised would go towards Mr. Peltier’s medical costs. The game is being organized by Mr. Peltier’s cousin Dustin Peltier and Mike Wabano. The cause is close to both men but carries a special place for Mr. Wabano as his wife had previously battled AML and he’s well aware of the importance of finding a match and getting good medical care.
Ms. Madahbee also shared that there was a chip prize bingo at the Wiikwemkoong Arena Tuesday night, April 23. In addition to these two fundraising events, there is also a Kickoff Fun Scramble golf tournament being held for Mr. Peltier’s cause at the Rainbow Ridge Golf Course on Saturday, May 11 with a 9 am start time. Interested parties may enquire on the course’s Facebook page, or call (705) 859-2990 for more information as soon as possible, as space is limited.
Though all the funding and support is a boon and a blessing, the key to winning this battle for Mr. Peltier remains finding a suitable match for cells. Because of Mr. Peltier’s Indigenous heritage, his best chance of finding a match is within the Indigenous community. Anyone interested in joining the fight is urged to contact the Canadian Blood Service at 1-888-2DONATE (236-6283).
by Ed Prudhomme
