Hi, my name is Ashley. This time of year is supposed to be a happy one, and it was supposed to be one of the best ones yet for my cousins daughter Ellie, surrounded by her family and her fur babies that she loves so much. Ellie is 9 years old, and she has a rare disorder called Prader Willi Syndrome that causes her to have a wide variety of developmental and health obstacles as well as being immunocompromised, but that doesn’t slow down her bubbly spirit one bit. She was happy as can be and excited for Christmas just days ago, but that has changed drastically and she is currently fighting for her life. It is terrifying and she doesn’t deserve what she is going through right now.

Ellie has been hospitalized in Sick Kids Hospital PICU for the past 3 days and is severely ill. She is currently fighting sepsis and is unable to breathe at all on her own, and our entire family is scared sick for her.

Ellie originally came down with influenza A. This quickly led to pneumonia, which led to dehydration, which then led to kidney injury, which has led to diarrhea and then led to gastroenteritis. Her veins keep collapsing so she is very swollen. She is battling 3 flus, severe dehydration, and a kidney injury while being immune compromised. She is trached, has 3 IVs and arterial line and a central line so that it cannot collapse. She has to be fully restrained and sedated, as she is so panicked that she tries to pull out her breathing tubes. She is a special needs child and does not understand what is happening to her.

Doctors estimate that Ellie will be in hospital for a minimum of 3 weeks if all goes well with her first week of antibiotics, so I am hoping to raise some funds for the daily fees that come with staying at the hospital, missing weeks of work, paying for pet sitters for her beloved fur babies, food, gas money back and forth, and whatever else Ellie needs to have her Mother and the rest of her family by her side without having to stress about finances during this very difficult time.

If you’d prefer to send an e-transfer, they can be sent to my email address at [email redacted] with the note “For Ellie”. Any amount, no matter how big or small is so appreciated. I know this is an incredibly difficult time of year for many financially, but if you’re able to help out our family would be so, so thankful.

Please keep Ellie in your thoughts and prayers over the holidays - she’s a fighter and we need her to pull through this ❤️.