On December 2nd 2024 , our sweet little Emma-Leigh was taken into the ER for flu like symptoms.

As the doctors were performing their examination, they felt a mass on her stomach and ordered an X-Ray which confirmed the doctors suspicions. A CAT scan further confirmed the tumor on her adrenal gland, the size of a baseball, along with a tumor on the top of her skull the size of a tennis ball, which formed with and through her skull, and is resting on her brain.

Emma and her mom Jess were flown to CHEO in Ottawa ON, where they completed blood tests, and discovered that at the age of 4, Emma has Neuroblastoma (a rare cancer that develops in the nerve tissue). On December 5th Emma was placed under anesthesia, and underwent a bone marrow extraction, ultrasound, CAT scan, MRI, biopsy, and insertion of a picc line, as the doctors knew that she would require chemotherapy treatment to reduce the size of the tumor.

Upon review of these tests, it was discovered that numerous cancerous clusters developed by Emma's spine, which lowered Emmas survival rate to 60%, and chemotherapy was to begin as soon as possible.

Emma and her family have a long fight ahead of them, as she will undergo 5 cycles of 5 consecutive days of chemotherapy treatments, with 3 weeks of rest in between. After her 2nd cycle of chemotherapy, if Emma is doing well, we will need to transport her to sick kids for 2 days for an extraction of her white blood cells, and further testing will be done to check for improvement. After her 5th cycle, she will be transported back to sick kids for 2 months as she completes a stem cell transplant. Emmas first round of double chemotherapy began December 6th of 2024.

Emma will require surgery to remove the tumor, however, the timing of the surgery will be dependent on how effective the chemotherapy treatment has been in either reducing the sizes of the tumors, or eliminating them all together. At this time the doctors are expecting between the 4th and 5th cycle of chemotherapy.

Being almost 7 hours away from home, and by Emma's side for more than 4+ months as she undergoes treatment, will have an immense financial impact on Emmas parents. The funds raised will be an emergency for Emma, should Jess require to pay for any medical equipment, medications etc that is not covered by O-hip.

We are looking to help support them in any way possible, as we navigate this difficult time together as a family. The funds raised will help Jess with the cost of living, throughout Emmas treatment, and the bills for maintaining her home in Kirkland Lake.

Emma and Jess are currently waiting for positive news on their Ronald McDonald application, and receiving the best care and support from the staff, and specialists at CHEO. Thank you for all of your prayers, thoughts, well wishes and support during this difficult time.

Emma is the most beautiful, courageous, positive little girl, with the biggest heart. We are all hoping the very best on her long road to recovery.