Fighting for Baby Isla

My name is Kelsey and I am writing this on behalf of my sister, brother-in-law and their precious baby daughter.

On March 20, 2020 my beautiful and healthy niece Isla was born much to the delight of her loving parents, Melissa and Mark. When Isla was a few weeks old, she developed a lazy eye with a dilated pupil and a permanently sideways gaze. Isla was initially referred to a pediatric ophthalmologist on May 6, 2020 and was admitted to the Red Deer Hospital later that day. By that evening, she had been transferred to Alberta Children’s Hospital in Calgary for further testing. The following day after some investigations and a MRI, the doctors shared the devastating news that they had found a malignant brain tumor in 7-week-old Isla. Isla now requires more testing for doctors to definitively determine what they are dealing with and how to treat it. Since the family has been given this news, Isla’s other eye has began to deteriorate and the doctors say she may lose her sight until they figure out the appropriate treatment. The family will be traveling back and forth between Red Deer and Calgary for the foreseeable future.

The Stetson family is currently living off of Melissa’s limited maternity leave salary. Due to the current pandemic situation, no visitors are able to be with the family to lend support while Isla is in hospital.

Mark is taking time off work to be near Melissa and Isla throughout this difficult time. Due to COVID hospital visitation restrictions, only one parent is allowed to be with Isla at a time. This means that Mark will be spending nights in a hotel, as Isla is still breastfeeding and the Ronald McDonald house is currently closed.

Over the past week, friends and family have been so generous offering support and asking how they can help during this difficult time. If you wish to help ease the financial strain on the Stetson family, any contribution to help our precious baby Isla fight will be deeply appreciated.

I will do my best over the upcoming weeks to post updates about Isla’s progress.