Our beloved Anna diagnosed with brain cancer.

In May this year, our cherished friend, sister, mother, daughter, and cousin, Anna Innis was terminally diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain cancer Glioblastoma (GBL). This was completely unexpected as Anna had been living such a vibrant, full life until this occurred. The disease is devastating and progressing quickly. Our hearts are broken, as there is no viable treatment option for her condition. This news is truly impossible to comprehend - words cannot properly describe our deep sadness at what has occurred.

Anna has now moved from the comprehensive care of the Keck Medicine of USC hospital to a new hospice location near Huntington Beach – a home that is closer to friends, family, and her amazing 17-year-old son, Alex Van Der Meyden. She is receiving wonderful support at the HeyDay Senior (Assisted) Living at Fountain Valley with the kind, attentive care of the entire staff. This location has been incredibly uplifting and beneficial for Anna but is exceedingly costly – beyond what her health benefits can provide – given that she requires 24/7 support.

Anna has lived her life to the fullest, surrounded by so many bright, talented, warm-hearted people. She loved traveling and meeting new friends wherever she went. She relishes her heritage and has always been a strong proponent of Greek culture and community. Anna loves the arts and was writing several books that she intended to publish. Her smile literally lights up a room and her joyful, unabashed laugh is something you want to hear again and again. To have known Anna is to have loved her, and she has made an enormous impact on everyone she touched. Her zeal for life remains infectious.

Anna dedicated 28 years of her life to Air Canada as Key National Business Development & Community Engagement Manager whereby she oversaw strategic community partnerships and directed communications and engagements across North America, Canada, and globally. In 2019, Anna won Air Canada’s Global Sales Ambassador role. Within this role, she met the who’s who of politics and film including Presidents, Prime Ministers, and famous actors.

Anna also gave back to so many communities in need, actively serving on boards and supporting organizations such as Cast LA to address the global issue of human trafficking; Autism Speaks to support Autism awareness; and the Maple Business Council promoting cross-border trade. She was also always active with her son’s school and PTA. Given her work and impact, Anna was awarded the honor of being selected to the esteemed “20 in 2020” by the Consulate General of Canada in Los Angeles.

We now ask for your help to come together and support Anna at her most critical time – to help cover her immediate, costly medical needs but also to create a longer-term trust fund for her son, Alex. We are deeply grateful for anything that you feel you can contribute.