If music could cure cancer, three-year-old Greta Marofke wouldn't have any problem.
As it stands, the little tyke and her parents are now significantly closer to paying for costly surgery that could save her life, thanks to the efforts of the Calgary community this weekend. Thirty bands gathered to play a 10-hour music festival in the city on Saturday, where they helped raise significant funds for Greta to undergo a much-needed liver transplant in the United States.
The transplant may be Greta's only chance to survive a rare form of cancer called heptablastoma, which affects fewer than one in one million children worldwide. The girl, who was diagnosed with the disease at the age of two, underwent chemotherapy and had 70 per cent of her liver removed after the diagnosis. And for a few months, she seemed to be fine. "We thought, great, we beat this," Greta's mother, Lindsey Marofke, told CTV Calgary. "But about four months later, it looked like it was back."
Now, the family says surgery is Greta's only option. The transplant is estimated to cost up to $700,000, and the Marofkes say they cannot afford that without significant financial aid. According to the family, the cost will not be covered by Alberta's health care system. The family has already consulted with Canadian doctors, but they say Greta needs to be treated by a specialist in Cincinnati if she is to recover from the disease.
Greta's story struck a chord with many Canadians, including bar owner Lindsay Chadderton, who organized the Guitars for Greta charity festival on Saturday. "We're so thrilled to be able to have this and have the money go to this great family and this little girl, who's just adorable," he said.
The Trailer Park Boys also rallied to her cause, urging their fans to donate to Greta's fund.
The family has set up a GoFundMe page for those who wish to donate to their cause. They hope to take Greta to the U.S. for the surgery in the next two months.
As of Saturday, more than $240,000 had been raised for the family.
With files from CTV Calgary
