Emma Smith Brain Cancer
Fundraising campaign by
Emma Smith
-
CA$17,692Donated So Far
The Smith family urgently request your financial support. They face an uncertain future as they are unable to work while caring for their beautiful 12 year old daughter, Emma, who has relapsed with a rare brain cancer. The family has survived into the fourth year of this struggle with the help of their local community and friends worldwide, but regrettably needs to ask for further assistance.
Details
Emma was nine years old when she was diagnosed with a rare brain cancer on 1st October 2012 after a short illness. She had an immediate surgery to release the pressure on her brain caused by the build up of fluids, and shortly afterwards had a second surgery to remove as much of the tumour as possible. The second operation removed 30-50% of the squash ball sized tumour.
Immediately after the second surgery Emma started a grueling course of radiation therapy which lasted six weeks. With a short break over the Christmas period to recuperate from the radiation therapy, Emma then commenced a six cycle chemotherapy regime that was to last seven months.
The treatments were administered at British Columbia Children's Hospital in Vancouver. During the treatments the Emma's parents stayed for short and long periods at the Ronald McDonald House in Vancouver, often away from their son Charlie who was seven when Emma was first diagnosed.
In August 2013 after further MRI scans, Emma and her family were told that Emma was in remission and that there was no evidence of cancer. Emma began her road to recovery from the ravages of the radiation and chemotherapy treatments, which had taken their toll on her body and mind.
Emma seemed to be doing well, but in August 2104 started to have spells of being unwell, culminating in suspected meningitis. The illnesses did not recede with treatments, and as the family became more anxious further test were made. On 1st October 2014, exactly two years after the first diagnosis, Emma and her family were informed of the devastating news that cancer had been found in Emma's spine. Emma was officially in relapse and very ill.
After a short round of radiation therapy Emma was once again placed into a chemotherapy regime. By December 2015 Emma is into her 13th chemo cycle and is stable.
Why the fundraiser?
Well into the fourth year since diagnosis, Emma's family is suffering financially. Emma's father normally works on ships on projects that involve long periods at sea, and has had to severely curtail his availability in order to look after Emma, who needs 24 hour assistance.
He was due to join a project that would have unfortunately taken him away from Emma and the family over Christmas, but due to his own medical issues is currently not able to go to sea. Not being able to work has increased the strain on already broken finances, and the family now faces the future in a very worrying and uncertain situation.
The family asks for your help to maintain a stable home for Emma as she continues her struggle with this ghastly cancer.
Thank you!
Included at the top of this page is a video of Emma being introduced to the 2015 Tour de Rock team at her school. Emma was a Junior team member of the Tour in 2014.
Organizer
- Emma Smith
- Campaign Owner
- Victoria, CA
Donors
- Anonymous
- Donated on Jun 20, 2016
- Charlotte Stepushyn
- Donated on Jun 13, 2016
Emma Grace Smith 14 August 2003 - 21 June 2016
Update posted by Emma Smith at 07:14 pmWe are very sad to announce that Emma passed in the early hours of 21 June 2016.It had been a long battle which Emma fought with dignity and great courage, but at the end she was tired and passed peacefully and painlessly at home. We feel she is making her. . . . .
Devastated
Update posted by Emma Smith at 05:02 amOn Tuesday 26th April we went into the hospital for Emma to have blood work and get the results from her last MRI, and we are afraid that it was not good news at all. The MRI has confirmed our worst fears that the symptoms Emma has been showing since. . . . .
Not Great News
Update posted by Emma Smith at 09:21 amEmma had an MRI scan towards the end of January. We were given the preliminary results of the scan the following week while in the Pediatric Oncology unit at Victoria General, subject to a review by the team at Children's Hospital in Vancouver.We are sad to say that the MRI. . . . .
Donors & Comments
- Anonymous
- Donated on Apr 04, 2018
My daughter passed away from brain cancer last month. I don't know if this link will still find you but I wanted to send my love to your family. My daughter was five when she passed away. She also endured the full treatment, recovered, relapsed later and died at hone. And her name was also Emma Grace. I'm sorry for all of our losses. Xo
- Anonymous
- Donated on Jun 20, 2016
- Charlotte Stepushyn
- Donated on Jun 13, 2016
- Anonymous
- Donated on Jun 13, 2016
- Ash Heron
- Donated on Jun 09, 2016
- Anonymous
- Donated on Jun 09, 2016
- Rhonda Daye
- Donated on Jun 08, 2016
Sending hugs and prayers. xxx
- Jordan Sundher
- Donated on Jun 08, 2016
Keep fighting Emma!
- Jan Proud
- Donated on Jun 07, 2016
Wishing you all the best from England xxx
- Anonymous
- Donated on Jun 06, 2016
My daughter passed away from brain cancer last month. I don't know if this link will still find you but I wanted to send my love to your family. My daughter was five when she passed away. She also endured the full treatment, recovered, relapsed later and died at hone. And her name was also Emma Grace. I'm sorry for all of our losses. Xo