By Sarah Junkin
The Eagle
A Cochrane teen who’s been diagnosed with two types of leukemia will not have to fight the disease alone. Already the whole community is rallying round to support the family of Taro Okada, a popular Grade 10 student who will likely spend much of the next year in Calgary’s Children’s Hospital. “They have no family in Canada so it would be really wonderful if we all pulled together to help,” said family friend Debbie Phibbs, who is hosting a meeting on how best to assist them. “The family is very popular and all their kids are in sports so they know a lot of people.”
Parents Shojiro and Yoshiko first became aware that something was terribly wrong when Taro seemed unable to shake off a cold he’d caught from girlfriend Jasmine, Phibbs’ daughter. “He had a fever and became terribly weak,” said Phibbs. “His mom took him to the doctor and two days later to the hospital in Canmore. He was getting really sick.” Phibbs added the fever was actually a blessing because without it, the disease could have taken a more aggressive hold without any warning. Since the diagnosis, doctors have already begun an aggressive round of chemotherapy and radiation, and they’ve also tested Taro’s parents and his younger brothers to find out if any of them might make a suitable bone marrow donor. Those test results won’t be available for two more weeks. In the meantime, the Okadas are trying to adapt their busy schedule to accommodate frequent visits to the hospital. Yoshiko, who is employed by Extra Foods, will now only work weekends when her husband is off from his job at Moose Mountain Log Homes. “This means they’ll have less of an income,” said Phibbs. “So I’d love it if people could help cook, clean, drive the kids.” She added Shojiro recently began finishing his basement, and she’s looking for helpers to finish the job for him. To that end, Phibbs is hosting a “Team Taro” planning meeting April 22 at the Royal LePage Allstar office on First Street at 7:30 p.m. She’s hoping anyone who has any spare time will come out to lend a hand. “We just want them to feel loved and cared for,” she said. Yet despite the diagnosis, the Okadas are trying to remain optimistic and say they are grateful for the help they’ve already received. “Our freezer is almost full,” said Shojiro. “A lot of people tried to help us.” The pair is also grateful to the many visitors who have visited Taro in the hospital, including his entire Bow Valley football team. “He gets a lot of energy from his friends,” Yoshiko said. “He is always so happy to see them.” But as Taro struggles with the nausea from his treatments, all the family can do is wait to learn if any of them will make a suitable bone marrow donor.

For information about how to help the
Okada family, call 403-932-2290.