A South Surrey mom is rallying community support while advancing in a national fundraising competition benefiting BC Children’s Hospital.
Keya DeSmet is currently competing in the Super Mom contest, a nationwide initiative that’s working to support the Children’s Miracle Network.
The contest is based on weekly public voting, with participants advancing through rounds towards a grand prize that includes a $20,000 donation, a family vacation and other opportunities.
For DeSmet, her reason behind competing is tied closely to her family’s lived experience.
Her daughter Chloe, 2, was born with a rare congenital kidney abnormality known as duplex kidneys, meaning Chloe has four kidneys rather than the typical two.
The condition was first identified during a 20-week ultrasound and later confirmed through additional imaging at Surrey Memorial Hospital.
“My daughter basically is supposed to have two kidneys, one on each side making a full lobe, but she has four,” DeSmet explained to Peace Arch News.
In Chloe’s case, portions of both kidneys do not function properly, resulting in urine pooling and a higher risk of infection. She also has had a ureterocele, a balloon-like blockage in the ureter that can affect drainage into the bladder.
DeSmet says Chloe has been on preventative antibiotics since birth. Despite this, she experienced her first urinary tract infection (UTI) at just one month old.
DeSmet, a former nurse, said her medical background helped her recognize early symptoms.
“She was very sleepy, and kids present UTI symptoms differently than adults,” she explained. “I trusted my gut and took her to the hospital and said she needs to be tested.”
Over time, Chloe underwent ongoing monitoring and treatment, including a procedure to address the ureterocele. Doctors even attempted to take Chloe off antibiotics, but that resulted in another infection, and she was placed back on medication.
DeSmet said the uncertainty has been one of the most difficult parts of the journey. “She can’t live in the hospital,” she said. “It’s not just her stress, but mine and my son’s as well.”
Alongside Chloe’s medical needs, DeSmet has faced additional challenges in recent years, including job loss during the COVID-19 pandemic while pregnant with her first child.
DeSmet also shared that her daughter’s father works out of town and is frequently away, leaving her to manage much of the day-to-day care and medical appointments.
Despite the circumstances, DeSmet said her focus remains on her children.
“I am a mom with a young son and a complex daughter, and I’ve learned how important it is to fiercely advocate for your kids,” she said.
More recently, Chloe was placed on a carefully monitored supplement plan alongside her existing care. DeSmet said she has since remained infection-free, though she emphasized this is not a permanent solution.
“It’s not a long-term fix, but it’s where we are right now,” she said.
If needed, surgery to remove non-functioning portions of her kidneys remains a last-resort option.
DeSmet is currently in the quarter-final stage of the Super Mom competition, where weekly voting determines who advances. She noted that the community’s support has been very encouraging throughout the process.
“Just knowing people are hearing our story and rooting for us means a lot,” she shared.
Beyond the competition, DeSmet said she hopes to raise awareness about rare kidney conditions and the challenges families face when there are no clear answers.
“There should be more awareness for families in situations where there isn’t a clear path forward,” she said.
Voting in the Super Mom competition continues weekly through mid-June. You can help vote for DeSmet and Chloe at thesupermom.org/2026/keya-desmet.
Donations support BC Children’s Hospital through the Children’s Miracle Network.
You can also follow DeSmet’s journey on Instagram at pickyproofparenting.