Lyric Solonenko is a regular three year-old boy, says family friend Erin Liebrecht. Like all kids his age, he's fond of running around, helping out his dad Cortney Solonenko on the family farm, and just being a regular, outgoing little boy.
Unfortunately, unlike most kids his age, he was discovered to have a rare Rhabdoid Tumor, and there will be a benefit on February 11 at Tapps to support his family and help them through his treatment in Saskatoon.
The problems began in October, Liebrecht explains, when Crystal Solonenko, Lyric's mother, noticed blood in her son's urine. After taking him to Saskatoon, it was discovered he had a tumor on his kidney. It was a particularly aggressive form of cancer. Since then, the kidney has been removed and he has been going through intense chemotherapy and radiation treatments.
"Right now, he's done his radiation, but still doing the chemotherapy. Basically, Crystal is in Saskatoon living with Lyric in the hospital, while Cortney is at home with Jordann... His third birthday was in the hospital, they had the cake and the party in the room," Liebrecht explains.
While the treatment has been difficult on Lyric, especially at the beginning, Liebrecht says that he's recovering fast and becoming his old self again.
"He knew, if nurses came in he would cry. After surgery he recovered really fast, ran around right away, he bounces back so fast," she notes.
Having the family split in two as Lyric goes through treatment is hard on everyone, Liebrecht says. One of the things that the family appreciates most of all is the support of the community, which makes it easier to be away and to work through Lyric's health problems. She says that while the family appreciates the funds their friends are raising, which makes it easier to stay in Saskatoon, the friends themselves are what they appreciate most, and the emotional support they bring is the most important part.
"The money that we're raising for them of course is going to help them. Living at the hospital, parking is $20 a day, she needs food, by no means is it cheap. Crystal says she can't believe how much support they're getting already... She's so thankful that all these people are there for her," Liebrecht explains.
This has been put together by a large group of people who all want to see Lyric get better, Liebrecht notes, and all they want is to help the family through the difficult times.
"Crystal has said thank you a lot, and she's very appreciative of everything that's being done."
The evening will see two seatings to accommodate all the people interested in showing up and taking part, one from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and the second from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. There will also be a silent auction and 50/50 draws during the night. Tickets are $20 and available at Carpet One, Fabutan and Joey's Kids Apparel.
