EDMONTON -- The family of an Alberta toddler who needs an expensive medication is getting some help from Canadian-born celebrity Ryan Reynolds.
Kaysen Martin, who is 23 months old, needs a $2.8-million gene-therapy drug called Zolgensma for his Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type 1 that affects the muscles used for lung support, swallowing, crawling, walking and head control.
His family is pleading for Alberta Health to cover the drug, but time is running out, because it can only be administered before a child turns two.
A GoFundMe page to raise the money for the drug has already raised more than $80,000, including a $5,000 donation from Reynolds.
Kaysen’s mother Lana Bernardin said the family was excited to see the donation.
“Definitely surprised that Ryan Reynolds saw us. I’m not sure how, but he saw us. So for sure, it was a really good, big surprise,” she told CTV News Edmonton.
Reynolds, who was born in Vancouver, has made many charitable donations in 2020. He and his wife Blake Lively donated to food banks across Canada, including a $5,000 to the Edmonton Food Bank in April.
The family has until July 17, Kaysen’s second birthday, to raise the money.
“Every little bit helps. Every donation, every share, it doesn’t matter the amount, it all helps,” Bernardin said.
