Help Elijah & Nicole Thiessen while their son is at HSC

***Hey everyone! Just a quick update here. It has been an eventful 10 days for Nicole, Elijah and little Archie. After a few days of staying in a hotel, Elijah and Nicole were able to secure a space in the Ronald McDonald House, so they could be even closer to Archie. And late on April 23rd, they were given the news that Archie would be going for his surgery the very next morning, on April 24th.

Archie went in for his heart surgery around 8am yesterday (April 24th) and came out strong, like the warrior he is, around 2:30 pm. The surgery was a success! We are so incredibly grateful to the surgeon and his team for the miracle that they performed yesterday!

Archie's road to recovery and being able to come home will be a long one, and so every cent that has been donated so far, and all future donations will ease the stress that this little family is going through. Thank you all so much! ***

Hi! Our names are Kayleigh and Katie, and we are raising funds for our brother Elijah, his wife, Nicole, their daughter, Ellie and their newborn son, Archie.

A BIG, BIG THANK YOU to everyone who has donated so far! Every little bit helps!

In February, Nicole and Elijah were given news about their unborn son that was devastating...

Archie was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect (TGA, more info below), meaning he would need to have corrective surgery soon after he is born. He was to be born at Mount Sinai then transferred immediately sick kids Toronto where he will receive the care that is needed to save his life.

When Nicole was 31 weeks pregnant on March 13th, she was transferred from McMasters to Mount Sinai for abnormal dopplers and would be staying in the hospital until she delivered. Staying there helped gain an extra 4 weeks to help Archie develop but due to his Intrauterine Growth Restriction (IUGR), he was not gaining enough weight so he was delivered early at 35 weeks on April 14th 2025. He was rushed over to Sick Kids just minutes after birth.

Because of his IUGR, Archie is much smaller than he should be, weighing in at just 1.5kg/3.3 lbs.

Archie has a congenital heart defect called transposition of the great arteries, or TGA. When his heart formed the aorta and the pulmonary artery grew in a switched position. That causes oxygen rich blood back to the lungs, and oxygen poor blood back to the body. This heart defect is life threatening if not corrected. He will be able to have surgery once he has gained enough weight but due to his growth restriction that could be many weeks away. He will be in SickKids until he gains the weight, has the surgery and possibly a few weeks after surgery to recover if all goes well.

Nicole and Elijah will be away from home/off work for an unknown amount of time, most likely around 6-8 weeks depending on how Archie grows and recovers from surgeries and procedures. We would appreciate any donation, big or small to help them be able to give Archie their undivided attention and support each day. To be there to see him through all his challenges, accomplishments and changes until he's able to come home to be with his Mom, Dad and big sister Ellie.

They will be needing help paying for:

- Ronald McDonald house $19 per day

- Accomodation until a room at RMHC is available $75 per day

- Rent/bills , Eli who is their sole provider will be off work on caregivers ei but that won't be enough to cover rent or bills

- Travel to see Ellie (who is currently staying with her Auntie Kayleigh), and also taking the train/driving home to check on their dog Ollie, who is being taken care of by Nicole's mom.

- Groceries/food while staying at RMHC/ a hotel

- Medications for Nicole to get back to taking care of her kidney/diabetic/postpartum issues when she is discharged from the hospital 

We appreciate any and all help you can give to them in this time of need. If possible, please share this with your friends and family! Thank you!