Help Support Elena & her family

Our granddaughter, Elena McInnis, is a sweet 4-year-old who likes to dance, play hide and seek and do puzzles. She started complaining about headaches a few weeks ago. On May 28th she was having difficulty following simple instructions, lacked the coordination to get dressed and vomited. She was rushed to Emergency.

A parent’s worst nightmare began. Elena has a posterior fossa brain tumor. On Tuesday, May 30, 2023, they attempted to remove the tumor, but it is on the base of her brain stem and they are not able to remove it with surgery at this stage. The fluid from her brain was not able to drain because of the location of the tumor and pressure is building up inside so she had a 2nd surgery (ETV) to drain extra cerebrospinal fluid from her brain. Some good news is that the tumor is growing away from the brain stem, rather than into it. The results of the biopsy will take several weeks, but they are hopeful the tumor will respond well to chemotherapy.

At this time, the exact treatment plan is unknown, but it is expected that this will take years of treatment. She continues to receive expert care from the members of the Jim Pattison Children's Hospital. Elena has been surrounded by family members. Her parents, Larissa and Calum have been by her bedside the entire time and are fortunate that the Children’s Hospital has a bed right in Elena’s room. Calum was granted a compassionate care leave of absence from his job at Costco. Larissa is currently 3 months pregnant with their third child. Elena’s sibling, Lydia, is one year old and has been staying with family members but misses her sister and parents.

With the consent of Calum and Larissa, we are starting a benevolent fund to assist with some financial reprieve over the next few months while Elena remains in the hospital and subsequently begins her treatment. Elena wants her mommy and daddy by her side. The money from this fund will be given directly to Calum and Larissa to help cover lost wages and incidental expenses related to treatment.

The future is uncertain, but we are all hopeful that Elena will recover and be able to live a long and healthy life. Calum and Larissa wish to thank everyone for their support and ask that you continue to send love and well wishes.

Gracie Staples and Kirby McInnis,

Elena's grandparents