August 3, 2011 in City

Family of girl with leukemia offered a home

By The Spokesman-Review
 
Dan Pelle photo

Alicia Ponce-Myers, 12, has spent the past month in a Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital room recovering from cancer. Alicia and her family, from Tonasket, Wash., are homeless and lived in a tent.
(Full-size photo)

A Spokane woman has offered her home to a struggling Tonasket couple and their children, including a 12-year-old girl who is recovering from leukemia.

The Spokesman-Review profiled the family in today’s newspaper and outlined the medical struggles of Alicia Ponce-Myers and her family’s attempts to cope with chronic homelessness and poverty.

Daniel Angell, the girl’s stepfather, said he spent the morning in tears as generous offers of assistance poured in, including the woman who offered her fully furnished four-bedroom home to serve as a temporary residence while Alicia recovers.

“I’m so humbled and grateful,” Angell said.

State social workers had insisted that the family secure appropriate, stable housing to receive Alicia when she is discharged this week. If not, Angell said, there was a possibility Alicia would may be placed in foster care to help in her recovery after a month in Providence Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital.

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