Meet Zayla
Meet Zayla
This bouncy, energetic Dream Kid loves music, princesses, and superheroes!
Dream Kid Zayla is super funny! Her mom says “Zayla’s the boss”. She’s full of energy, very independent, determined, and feisty. She loves to dance and do crafts - but one of her favourite hobbies is annoying her brother.
Pictured: Zayla has been through so much on her medical journey, including surgery, scans, transfusions, and transplants.
But Zayla has gone through some challenging times for a 5-year-old kid. Zayla’s family found out by fluke that she has gangleoneuroblastoma. After Zayla accidentally swallowed a cat toy, scans told doctors that she had cancer.
She’s been through a 10-hour surgery, MIBG scans, CT scans, ultrasounds, blood transfusions, and a bone marrow transplant. Zayla’s doctors say she is a puzzle case - she has new growths on her liver and she’s having kidney issues - the doctors are deciding on the next course of action for Zayla’s medical journey. When Zayla’s mom told her she’d have to have more surgery, Zayla swore she didn’t swallow another cat toy.
But none of these challenges stop Zayla from being her personable, adorable self. She loves to meet new people and has made plenty of friends at events through The Dream Factory. She loves coming to art workshops and doing crafts. Seeing people and getting away from the stress of her medical journey makes her days brighter, even if it’s just for an hour.
Pictured: Zayla met the Winnipeg Blue Bombers at a practice!
Pictured: Even when she’s not feeling well, Zayla finds strength to smile.
Pictured: Zayla is full of personality and it shines wherever she goes.
Zayla’s dream is to meet superheroes at Disney World! She told her mom that she’s excited to see The Hulk because he’s the only guy in the world stronger than her dad. Zayla loves animals, so visiting Animal Kingdom to see lions is a must! She’s also excited to meet Tinkerbell and Ariel, see Cinderella’s castle, and go swimming.
“This dream will be a time to not have to worry about hospitals,” Zayla’s mom shared. “Just to enjoy being in the moment and getting away from all this medical stuff. Actually having all the family together and not having any worries throughout the trip will be so special.”