SASKATOON — For seven-year-old Victoria Berg, everyday life has been shaped by a long and difficult battle with mould toxicity. Her parents, Cam and Nicole, have spent years navigating health crises, medical treatments and major lifestyle changes to keep her safe.
Victoria, who was born in the United Kingdom, has struggled with toxic mould syndrome since infancy. The condition has caused infections, severe reflux, difficulty breathing at night, scar tissue in her throat, debilitating nausea, malaise, ashen skin, dark circles under her eyes, puffiness and anxiety.
Nicole, Victoria’s mother, told SaskToday the health issues can be traced back to mould in their UK apartment. Back then, Victoria even spent time in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit due to suspected sepsis, treated with antibiotics because of her weakened immune system.
“We had the mould cleaned. Someone came over to clean it and put a special paint over it. We knew there was mould, but we didn't realize that it was the mould that had caused all these health conditions. There was one root cause that could explain so many different symptoms,” said Nicole, who moved back with her family to Saskatoon when Victoria was two.
Because she was so young, Nicole said much of what Victoria experienced was silent suffering.
“Everything that was happening was silent, because she was so young and could not communicate properly. It was also not normal for her body; what has been happening is that she’s been having reflux for so long. For example, when she’s lying down at night and about to sleep, this reflux causes injury and scarring to her tonsils.”
At one point, her tonsils became so enlarged that they had to be removed so she could breathe properly again. That surgery happened during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
When the family returned to Canada, Victoria became more verbal, making it easier to understand the extent of her illness.
“When she got old enough to speak, she had been telling us that her stomach hurt all the time. That was another route that they have investigated and checked with the doctor. Another diagnosis revealed a small intestinal bacterial overgrowth,” said Nicole.
Victoria’s condition makes it difficult for her body to process toxins. With her weakened immune system, mould builds up inside rather than being expelled. Her recovery depends heavily on staying in safe environments.
Nicole said the family has also made lifestyle changes, including a strict diet of homemade meals without additives or preservatives. Her activities are limited as well, since she cannot participate in high-impact play such as running and jumping, which most kids her age enjoy.
While progress has been made, clean air remains critical to Victoria’s health. Nicole explained that an advanced air purifier, designed to remove mould spores and mycotoxins, could help her daughter live more comfortably at home and at school.
“This air purifier will allow her, firstly, to stay at the school she's at. She's reacting the least to this school compared to other schools she's been to. Even so, we can tell that the reaction is occurring. It will allow her to stay with her classmates, which is phenomenal. She's been through so many schools. She's just in third grade this year,” Nicole said.
The purifier, however, comes at a steep cost of about $3,400 once shipping, duties, tariffs, and taxes are included. To help cover that expense, the family has set up a GoFundMe campaign.
“It [air purifier] will allow her to be in that space and perhaps open up other spaces to as well that we have had to cut out. Not only is it suitable for her health and her education, but also for her socialization. Being with others when it gets to be winter, that's when we all move indoors for our activities, but there are so many spaces that are just not healthy enough for her,” Nicole added.
She said Victoria’s current school has a safe and healthy environment for her. She still has some health issues, but they are not as severe as before, and the fewer toxins she takes in, the more her body can expel from its backlog. The air purifier would enable Victoria to navigate her daily life with greater ease and provide her with a bit more freedom.
“Please consider a donation so we can purchase an air purifier she can use in her classroom year on year. Any money raised beyond the cost of the purifier will go toward her regular treatments, supplements, practitioner appointments, and specialized diet. No parent should have to choose between their child’s health and their education. With your help, we won’t have to. Thank you for considering our request,” said Nicole.
As of Friday, the campaign raised $2,560 of the $3,400 goal with 17 donations.
