A young girl from Beaumont Alberta, who is battling cancer, has a dino-sized wish and supportive Drumheller residents are helping to make it happen.
Janaya is eight years old and has been diagnosed with a rare and aggressive brain cancer. The young girl has about a 50 per cent chance of living another year. Her parents are helping Janaya with a bucket list and one of her wishes is to visit the Royal Tyrrell Museum.
Calgary Radio Station CJAY 92 learned of her story and shared it. This set off a chain of events that will help make her wish come true.
Ryan Semchuk, marketing manager for Canalta, tells The Mail there is a local connection. CJ92 radio personality JD Lewis began his radio career in Drumheller and he reached out to Semchuk.
“They heard about this girl’s story, and know my connection with hotels with Canalta and reached out,” he said. “We thought we would love to help these guys out and they shared the story with us. We work with Make a Wish Foundation quite regularly, so for us to hop on with a charity like the CJ92 Kids Fund, we said ‘let’s help out.’”
Canalta offered to help them out with their accommodations when they come to Drumheller.
“We also connected them up with the Tyrrell, who is going to be providing a VIP tour, and then we set up a VIP meet and greet with Dr. Locke and the dinosaur from Drumheller,” said Semchuk. “So she will have a cool little Drumheller experience while she is here, checking off a few items from her bucket list.”
Her story has been shared locally through social media, and other business and locals are stepping up to support Janaya’s wish. Malcolm Broadhurst is helping to coordinate this effort. Those wishing to help make Janaya’s trip special can call 403-823-9936.
As for Semchuk, Canalta’s support is in line with how the company works in the community.
“For Canalta, we are a community supporter. Anytime we can help in these situations, it is the right thing to do,” he said.
