Team Eli

Friends, we were devastated to learn in early November that our 4 year old nephew Eli had been diagnosed with a rare form of lung cancer. Eli spent most of October in the hospital in Saskatoon where doctors worked to remove a growth that had formed on his lung and was compromising the functions of his other organs. Hopeful that the ordeal was behind them Eli and his parents (Brad and Jenn) returned home to Meadow Lake, Sk. They were called to Saskatoon a couple weeks later and given the results of the biopsy. Eli had Pleuropulmonary Blastoma (PPB), an exceptionally rare form of lung cancer. Unfortunately, as very little is known about PPB, the road ahead is filled with uncertainty. In fact, this is likely the only case that will be diagnosed in Canada this year.


Since the tumor was removed in October, scans have shown that cancer remains in his right lung as well as the lining of his chest. PPB requires intensive post-surgery chemotherapy. While we are hopeful that the treatments will be successful, PPB is known to be an aggressive cancer with a tendency to reoccur in the lungs as well as spread to the brain.

Eli will be starting chemotherapy treatments the week of November 11 and will be required to return frequently to the Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon for the next 9 months. As Brad and Jenn live 3 hours away, the costs related to Eli’s treatments will be substantial. Your donations will help cover travel costs including fuel, accommodations, food and parking as well as any other unexpected costs incurred.


For anyone who has ever met Eli, you know that he possesses a vibrant spirit that captures people’s hearts. He is thoughtful, kind, and fun-loving with a sunshine that warms those he encounters and a peace that holds him strong. He loves playing games, spying out things in search-and-find books, doing puzzles, watching Paw Patrol, and zooming his cars around. He loves wrestling and playing with the “guys”, his brothers and sister. Although he is just starting his battle with cancer his courage has stood out as he takes on the many things he knows are hard and hurt; he has proven he is resilient and brave.


The family has already been overwhelmed by the love and support that they have received since learning of Eli’s diagnosis and thank you for considering supporting him and his family as they enter this difficult period of uncertainty.

If you’d like to help spread the word, you can share this link on your Facebook timeline. Thank you.