Tianna Kowalson is a pretty typical Winnipeg high school senior. However, her medical condition is anything but typical - in fact, it only affects 1 in every 30 million people under the age of 17.

She loves to draw and paint, read and write, "and make people laugh and smile." She had also been involved in sports, playing basketball, as well as a musician who loved to play the saxophone. Her love of music took her to the International Music Camp, and she also joined her church's worship team.

Three years ago, though, Tianna began to experience difficulty when performing some of her favourite past times. Her dad, Michael, says "all of a sudden she'd have trouble catching her breath at odd times." Her mom Delores knew something was wrong when it affected her music. "She'd be playing her favourite song, and there just wouldn't be the same 'life' to it anymore. You could tell she was struggling."

As the family went to doctors seeking answers, it took two years to finally get a diagnosis. At one point doctors recommended a psychiatrist; "they thought it was just in her head," Michael says. It was a long and difficult journey. "I knew something was wrong, and I knew I wasn't a hypochondriac," Tianna explains. "It was frustrating trying to get them to believe me."

Finally, a CT scan produced a diagnosis: a pericardial cyst on her heart sac. It often goes undiscovered in older people because they are usually benign. "They're the size of a thumbnail and don't affect people usually," Delores said. Tianna's, however, is very different. "It's the size of an oblong tennis ball," Michael explained. "It causes lots of difficulty for her ... and this is something they've never really seen here, especially someone her age."

Because it's so rare there is no expertise in Canada for a surgery to remove the cyst. The family of six is now left to look south of the border, hoping that a recommendation from the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN will mean a removal of the cyst before Tianna heads to Brandon University in the fall.

They have started a GoFundMe campaign to help with the expenses of getting into the Mayo Clinic for the necessary testing.

For the Kowalsons faith has played an important part in their journey. They ask that first and foremost people pray for Tianna, and the family, and then share the story as much as possible to help get awareness out.

For Tianna, there has been one positive to come out of this long and difficult journey. "Honestly, it's made my personal relationship with God better ... lately, the only thing that gets me through the day is my little mantra 'keep faith and keep fighting.'"