Zoie Palmer (Lost Girl, Sex After Kids) is taking over from Lisa Ray in the lead role of Patch Town, the film’s director-producer Craig Goodwill said Wednesday.

“Having been a part of the success and excitement of the short film that led to the Patch Town feature, I am saddened that I have had to withdraw from production. This is a project I’ve held dear since I first read the script,” said Ray in a statement.

Ray is stepping down from the production to resume cancer treatment. She was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma in 2009. Ray on Wednesday evening posted a statement on Facebook and Twitter with more about the course of her treatment, noting that she feels “wonderful, healthy and strong.”

With the film currently in production in Toronto, Palmer will begin filming the role immediately.

Patch Town is based on the short film of the same name, and focuses on an abandoned toy who is reunited with his adoptive mother, and must then rescue her from an evil child catcher.

Suresh John (Mr. D), Alan C. Peterson (Sucker Punch) and Tom Barnett (Overrruled!) also star.

The Patch Town screenplay is written by Christopher Bond and Trevor Martin, the writers behind Casey Walker’s A Little Bit Zombie. Mark Montefiore (Cas & Dylan) is exec producing.

Patch Town began production in Toronto on Jan. 9.

UPDATED: Jan. 17, 2013 – The story has been updated to reflect additional details about Lisa Ray leaving the production. The story originally reported that Ray had departed due to an unanticipated schedule conflict.