Family, friends and the community are rallying around a local family facing a devastating diagnosis.
The family's ordeal began more than two months ago with what first appeared to be a run-ofthe-mill back injury. Ladner's Jeremy Franta was at work when he felt a pop and then a twinge in his back. Franta, an independent contractor, went to sit in his truck for about 15 minutes before returning to work. As he began working again, he took a step up and the muscles in his back began to spasm and he fell, unable to get up.
Franta was rushed Delta Hospital where he spent the next six weeks in bed unable to walk.
"The muscle spasms wouldn't go away," said wife Shjannon Franta.
Franta was then transferred to Royal Columbian Hospital where he was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, an incurable blood cancer.
Initially he was given three to five years to live.
The disease is treatable and Franta recently started chemotherapy after undergoing back surgery to repair three broken vertebrae.
The surgery helped, Shjannon said, adding the muscle spasms are almost completely gone and he was able to sit up, stand up and take a few steps for the first time in two months.
"We're thrilled," she said.
As an independent contractor, Franta has been unable to earn an income since being rushed to the hospital two months ago. An online fundraiser has been set up to help the family with some expenses as Franta undergoes treatment and regains his mobility.
So far, more than $7,500 has been raised.
To make a donation visit www.gofundme.com/29y7zn3g.
A local yoga business is also holding a fundraiser to help the family. Yoga It Up is offering a family yoga class by donation at Saviour Lutheran Church (4737-57th St., Ladner) on May 14 at 4 p.m. Organizer, and Yoga It Up founder, Julia Johnson Baker said the class is open to all ages and abilities. For more information visit www.yogaitup.ca.
To register, email [email protected] or call 604-727-6816.
