My name is Alisa and I’m reaching out to you on behalf of my best friend’s daughter, Emmy. This sweet and adored little girl’s life has been upended in the last few weeks, and her parents and sister are dealing with an unimaginable new reality. My heart is breaking for this amazing family, whose love, kindness, and thoughtfulness have touched so many people leading up to today.

Emmy is a vibrant and fun-loving 3-year-old girl who was recently diagnosed with a large and rare tumour under her skull. The tumour is compressing her brain and intruding on a major vein which is currently threatening her life.

Emmy has been admitted to SickKids Hospital in Toronto, where she is under the care of a specialized team of neurosurgeons and oncologists. The medical team is still determining whether the tumour can be safely removed. At this stage, it appears that Emmy will require multiple surgeries, including a very risky initial tumour resection. This surgery will be followed by a skull reconstruction using a synthetic implant, rehabilitation, further plastic/skull replacement surgeries, and likely chemotherapy over the coming months and year.

What This Means for Her Family

Emmy’s immediate family - Bren, Mike, Emmy, and her 8-year-old sister Norah - have had to urgently relocate from out of province to be close to her care team in Toronto. They are currently moving between temporary accommodations generously offered by friends while they await a more stable living arrangement and a clearer treatment plan.

Both parents have taken extended leaves from work to focus entirely on Emmy’s care. While her medical treatment is covered, the family is facing significant indirect expenses related to the interprovincial move, including new and unexpected costs tied to flights, housing, vehicles, and childcare for Norah. They are trying to navigate a temporary relocation while retaining their current home, all while managing the emotional and logistical strain of being far from home.

How You Can Help

We are raising funds to support Bren, Mike, Emmy, and Norah through this incredibly difficult time.

Donations will go directly toward:

• Temporary housing and living expenses in Toronto

• Travel, parking, and meals during their lengthy hospital stay

• Childcare and household support for Norah

• Bridging lost income while they are unable to work

Thank you for holding Emmy and her family in your hearts. Your support, whether through donations, kind words, or sharing this page, means more than words can express, and will help give them the space and resources to focus on what matters most: helping Emmy through this medical crisis so she can soon be healed and back to her regular daily routines and toddler life.

We are forever grateful to all those who can help.