By Jill Sperling

PA woman takes on cancer with spirit of optimism

Sep 4, 2015 | 6:50 AM

When 19-year-old Kaila Gavel was diagnosed with cancer her first thought was whether she could continue to play volleyball.

Now the goal of playing the sport she loves is keeping her strong as she undergoes treatments.

Gavel was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in July, but she refused to let it stop her from living a normal life.

“I have to take a year off volleyball, but I tried to keep everything else the same. I still moved to Medicine Hat, I’m still with my friends,” said Gavel.

Gavel plays for the Medicine Hat Rattlers, the women’s volleyball team at Medicine Hat College.

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Volleyball isn’t the only sport that Gavel has been a part of. Originally from Prince Albert, Gavel played softball with the Prince Albert Aces. She’s also played basketball, soccer, and badminton.

Sports are a passion for Gavel, and she has made it her goal to be back on the volleyball court for the 2016-2017 season.

“I have it written on papers everywhere,” said Gavel. “My goal is to do everything I can to be back. I still go to the gym every day. I know I can’t do the intense workouts that I used to be able to do, but even lifting weights and keeping that thought that I’m going to be back in a year, it’s honestly been [getting] me through [this].”

Gavel said she was the first person in her family to have cancer. They had a hard time letting her move away from home, knowing her chemotherapy treatments would take their toll.

“After my first treatment, after everyone saw I was ok, everyone kind of took a big breath and was like, ‘OK, we can do this’.”

Gavel said she has only undergone one treatment so far, and while she’s been feeling tired, she hasn’t been feeling sick.

“I just carry on with my day,” said Gavel. “That’s actually what helps me not feel tired and sick.”

Gavel said she was amazed to see how many people stepped up to help her family out financially. She said her college and volleyball team have been holding fundraisers to help out with medical costs.

“I wouldn’t say my family is looking for support, but just the people in my community, both in Medicine Hat and Prince Albert, have just reached out to us and did it themselves,” said Gavel.

Bracelets will be available for purchase from Source for Sports in Prince Albert after Sept. 7 in support of Gavel.

The bracelets, which say ‘Team Kaila: With Optimism Comes Hope’ have special significance for Gavel. She said the word ‘optimism’ has stood out to her through this journey.

“The only way to really be positive about it is to look at the better outcome.”

Gavel said she wants to carry on with her life and live it the same as before her diagnosis.

“I go through everyday not thinking I have cancer”

jsperling@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @jnsperling