Ferris Backmeyer (Image credit: CFJC)

By Connor Gunn

KIDNEY TRANSPLANT

Kamloops school rallies behind Ferris Backmeyer aiding her kidney transplant

Dec 16, 2022 | 4:42 PM

KAMLOOPS — Ferris Backmeyer has not lived a normal life compared to most children her age.

Ferris has a rare condition called Saldino-Mainzer syndrome and is now nearly six years old, she needs a kidney transplant and has battled through hospital stays and ER visits.

Ferris’ mother Lindsey says a transplant is one of the only shots at a normal life. Ferris spends 14 hours every night on dialysis.

A month ago, the Backmeyers received the news that Ferris will be getting a new kidney.

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The family will have to travel and stay at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto for the surgery.

“It’s very exciting news for our family, it’s obviously what Ferris needs, Ferris has had a really medically-complex life and in the last year she’s been sick a lot she’s had a lot of hospital admissions and she’s just been acutely unwell,” says Lindsey Backmeyer.

Lindsey and her family were then told by the staff of Lloyd George Elementary they wanted to help.

The school started the 12 Days of Believing with the Backmeyers raising funds and spirits throughout December.

Through the initiative, students wrote letters, strung up signs and banners, and sang songs to Ferris wishing her the best with her transplant.

“We played this song over the PA we had the students singing the same song of holiday lights and that was our way of saying we’re just lighting up the halls with hope coming together for this family,” says Education Assistant Jenna Simpson.

Lindsay says the support the family has received has been overwhelming through this process.

“Hugely thankful [to the school], even just this 12 Days of Believing they believe this transplant is going to happen and that Ferris is going to have a brighter future but during that time she actually was hospitalized last week for four nights so there’s been this outpouring of support from people just a lot of random acts of kindness.”

School staff says they wanted to just play their part in ensuring Ferris and the Backmeyers have a happy holiday.

“It’s been very heartwarming and you know it puts everything into perspective, especially around the holidays we realize what we have and how hard things can be for others,” Simpson adds.

Through the fundraiser, the school along with others has raised nearly $20,000 for the family which is placed on the “money tree” in the school’s lobby.

The Backmeyers say they can’t thank the school and the community enough for the support and love they have felt.

“The kids they love her they flock to her, they’re so kind to my family and I just enjoy seeing how she affects everybody including her teachers and the EAs, and just a huge thanks to everybody,” says Lindsey.

The family will leave for Toronto in a couple of months for the kidney transplant and are hopeful about what the future hold for Ferris.