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Cancer killing young Calgary mom
Provided by: Sun MediaWritten by: JENNA MCMURRAY
Sep. 25, 2007
Trying to comprehend her imminent death has been an emotional roller coaster ride for a young mom trying to stay optimistic for the sake of her baby daughter.
Doctors have told 31-year-old Crystal Violante there's nothing more they can do to stop the malignant melanoma that's wracking her body.
"I am living my nightmare," said Crystal yesterday.
After being initially diagnosed and successfully treated for the disease in 2005, the cancer reappeared during her pregnancy and her condition has deteriorated since.
She gave birth to a girl --Mattea -- in April and moved up her wedding to her husband, Anthony, to July.
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"I was sent home to die and that was a hard pill to swallow," said Crystal.
Anthony took an indefinite leave from his construction job to care for his wife and daughter full-time, leaving the family with no income, a five-month old baby and an expensive palliative care tab.
"We're at home and we're having to use alternative medicine but its expensive," said Anthony.
He said between medical expenses, bills and raising Mattea, the family faces up to $4,000 worth of payments each month.
After witnessing the Violantes' hardships, Crystal's longtime friend Kari Broda decided she wanted to help.
She spent about six weeks organizing Hope for Crystal, a silent auction taking place tonight.
"Taking care of Chrissy and the baby is a full-time job for Tony and it's just so expensive."
Using connections with friends, Broda managed to get donations, including restaurant and massage gift certificates to put up for auction.
All of the money raised will go towards paying the family's expenses, Crystal's expensive palliative care and hopefully getting her into an alternative healing centre.
For more of the Violantes' story or to make a donation, visit loveforcrystal.com
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