(Newswire.net -- February 8, 2013) Lynnwood, WA -- Last week Refuge Church, Lynnwood, Washington, raised over $3,000 to help purchase a wheelchair-accessible van for a family whose child has a brain tumor and is wheelchair bound.  Church members organized the rummage sale.

Tahlia Boyd, age 7, was diagnosed with a severe brain tumor over a year ago.  After months of hospitalization, Tahlia was able to return home just after Christmas.  This was an incredible blessing, but it also forced the family to make radical changes to their home and vehicle to allow for her wheelchair.  Accomplishing the needed changes to the van will cost approximately $80,000. 

Tahlia’s dad, Eric, recounts their story.  "In March she began to have issues walking. She would fall down and we just chalked it up to growing pains.”  As balance issues progressed, their doctor ordered an MRI.

Tahlia was diagnosed with pilocytic astrocytoma, a non-cancerous tumor on her brain stem.  She began to have radiation treatment, which shrank the tumor but also caused severe pain.

Tahlia began having difficulty breathing and was admitted to Seattle Children’s Hospital. She eventually was given a tracheotomy to help her breath, but she developed some serious infections.

Today, Tahlia is home, infection free, and able to wheel around in her electric wheelchair.  She has a long battle ahead of her, but there is hope for every step of the way.

In addition to the fundraiser, Refuge Church has provided dinners and childcare, run errands, and of course prayed for the Boyds.

 This is a great way to help this family deal with emotional and financial stress. Isn’t that what a church family is all about?  

For a prior story, see

http://www.bothell-reporter.com/news/183560381.html

For more information about Tahlia or Refuge Church, contact Tim Schaaf, Senior Pastor at Refuge Church,

www.findrefuge.com 

Phone (425) 774-4474

The address:  2609 Larch Way

Lynnwood, Washington 98036