By Samantha Maciag, Leader-Post
"It was hard, she was in a lot of pain and we didn't know why," said Allison Newton, MacKenzie's mother.
MacKenzie suffered from a stiffness in her knee and fingers so badly the joints were not bendable. After several trips to the doctor, a false-diagnosis of a tumor, ultrasounds and trips to specialists, a pediatrician finally made the correct diagnosis.
"He looked at her for maybe two or three minutes and he diagnosed her
right there,"
Now, almost four years old, MacKenzie is part of a
new three-year study being performed across the country, led by the
"It hasn't really helped her yet,"
She explained that doctors take ultrasounds, blood and hair samples from
Samantha as part of the study. Every six months, MacKenzie
will travel to
Dr. Alan Rosenberg, a pediatric rheumatologist, directs the activities of the Pediatric Rheumatic Disease Laboratory at the U of S.
"The participation of patients and my colleagues around the country I know will advance knowledge with this study that will affect not only the children who participate in the study, but also many other children and adults as well," he said.
Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., people are invited by the Newton and MacKenzie families, along with Regina business owner Shawn Biggin, to a fundraising car wash at Regina Car Wash, located at 20 Hesse Bay.
The car wash was a collaborative effort between Biggin
and some of
"Maybe they can find better treatment for her or just even less drugs or try different things. That's what we're hoping for," she said
In lieu of paying for a car wash, customers are asked to make a donation to the cause. There will also be a barbecue on site, as well as prizes. All of the proceeds from the event will go to the Pediatric Rheumatology Research Program.
smaciag@leaderpost.canwest.com
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