As many of our loved ones know, on May 15th our lives were forever changed in a moment, with one word, Leukemia (T-ALL).  Emma, our 14 year old daughter, who has been the light of our lives, has always exemplified Strength, Courage, Compassion and Beauty. 

As we were in our local ER having Emma evaluated with blood work, thought to be a viral infection, she was suddenly rushed to Children's Hospital and admitted to the ICU where we spent a month to start her Chemotherapy regimen.

Emma was otherwise an active healthy girl, involved in sports, academics: strong in math, and basically loved by everyone who knows her.    She has hopes to one day become a physician and has the straight A's to get her there.  Emma's sharp wit, sense of humor and sensibility about the world have been her compass.  She has always been somewhat of an old soul.  This has all served her well and she admittedly states that it is what will get her through all of this. Emma has met every treatment with a positive attitude and even though she is aware that her life will not return as she once knew, she will do great things one day, in spite of it.

Emma's treatment is at least a two year rigorous protocol of in-patient and out-patient care with a VNS in home.  Although Emma has health insurance, there are sizable co payments and deductibles piling up (2 ambulences at $4,800 each).  We are going to be facing financial hardships in the face of a cancer diagnosis.  While we are so thankful for the support and love thus far, we graciously appreciate donations, however small, that you can spare for our daughter in a battle that we never imagined we would be facing.    

What is T-ALL? http://www.cancercenter.com/cancertypes/leukemia/types/acute-lymphocytic-leukemia

A systemic bone marrow blood cancer with characteristics of lymphoma
- very aggressive fatal within months if not treated.
-ALL is not catagorized in stages as it is systemic by the time of diagnosis
-Curable with state of the art tx tha lasts 2+ years with impatient and outpatient care

Synopsis of Treatment
http://www.aboutkidshealth.ca/article?cotentid=2846&language=English

Emma's journey began as classified in the High Risk Group (In-patient, Induction phase).
Emma is now in Consolidation phase which has been a gruelling, back to back in-patient treatment with intrathecal Lumbar Punctures, and two harrowing bone marrow biopsies, 10 in total thus far.
She has experienced significant side effects with a blood clot ( needing long term injections), chemo-induced diabetes, hair loss, weight loss, extreme mouth sores (making eating a challenge), anxiety, anemia and a range of anti nausea and pain meds around the clock.  The bone marrow biopsies have made other painful side effects difficult to tolerate.  Needless to say, it's heartbreaking for us to witness Emma's eternally happy spirit become depleted during these trying times.  However, this is the trajectory for Acute Lymphoblastic  Leukemia T. 
What we know: Emma is a warrior through and through and thanks to our support system of friends, family, faculty, and our community, we have derived much strength to forge ahead.

Your donations will be used to pay for Emma's current and future medical expenses, PT, therapies not covered by insurance, educational and tutorial costs from missing periods of High School during the next two years, maintenance, and unforeseen complications arising from 2 years of Chemotherapy.  

We plan to pay it forward by contributing excess monies to the Jimmy Fund Clinic where Emma is being cared for throughout the remainder of her years as oncologists have declared her remission status for five years.

Love and heartfelt appreciation to all for lifting us up in these challenging times.
Julie & Eric