Help Emma Bader battle Ewing Sarcoma

It's been several months since Emma was diagnosed with Ewings Sarcoma in June 2024. She started chemotherapy which successfully shrunk the tumour enough for surgery on Sept 19 to remove her scapula, the end of her shoulder blade as well as several muscles. Chemo resumed after a few weeks post op and will continue until the end of April 2025.

We are in awe at how positive Emma has been throughout this journey and believe it has largely contributed to the ongoing success of her recovery. She looks forward to the future and continuing her Registered Massage Therapy courses. Her goal is to help others with physical limitations to the best of her new permanent limitations that she will forever have to manage. Her right shoulder and arm range of movement and strength will be permanently affected.

Emma's family is extremely grateful for the generous love and financial support that has been instrumental in helping her with daily life, recovery and her positive demeanor. All the kind words, emails, texts and calls as well as the gifts and visits to the hospital and rides to appointments is overwhelmingly appreciated.

We are all looking forward to the end of chemotherapy for Emma as it takes a lot out of her emotionally and physically. She remains unable to go to work or school which she dearly misses.

We will update this page again at the end of April.

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Please join me in wishing Emma luck during her surgery tomorrow! This brave girl has done so well with chemotherapy and the tumour is shrinking to the point where doctors can operate Thursday. Emma still has a long battle ahead, and will require lots of physiotherapy and more chemo once she recovers. The great news is her range of motion shouldn’t be too affected, and once Emma recovers she should be able to return to most normal activities! In the meantime, prayers and warm thoughts are most welcome!

UPDATE: Jul. 28/24

This courageous and amazing young woman has completed the first full cycle of chemotherapy and has another 13 to go before a likely surgery. Doctors say that things are progressing nicely and the tumour is definitely shrinking and which is incredible news! As a cancer survivor myself I think Emma’s attitude is so positive despite losing her hair, and her radiant smile still lights up a room. I cannot imagine going through something like this at such a young age. Emma is taking some time off indefinitely from her two jobs while still trying to keep up with her studies. She has many months ahead of her but feels the love and support and is so grateful to everyone who has contributed.

UPDATE: Emma has started her chemo treatments with good humour and bravery, and has 14 more weeks to go for this round. Everyone is hopeful the tumour will start to shrink and the pain lessen. Your donations mean that Emma doesn’t have to worry as much about not working, the many, many early morning trips from Fergus to Toronto for treatment, and any bills or expenses that will surely pile up. Peace of mind goes a long way when you are battling an aggressive disease and all your strength and energy needs to be focused on getting better!

Thank you, thank you, thank you. Emma and her family are very grateful and appreciative. Let’s keep supporting this gal who is beautiful inside and out!

Emma Bader is just 24 years old, finishing up school to become a massage therapist, and working two jobs to support herself. She was recently diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma, an aggressive cancer that will require months of chemo to shrink the tumor that has taken over her shoulder, then surgery, then more chemo. All treatments are being done in Toronto, miles away from where she and her family live.

I am Katharine, a family friend and former cancer survivor who would do anything to see my young friend Emma Bader beat this monstrous disease that has aggressively and suddenly invaded her life. Emma is pure sunshine to her family and friends, and has one hell of a battle in front of her.

She is driven and determined, but needs our help. Her family needs our help. There will be daily visits to Mt. Sinai in Toronto for treatment, hours spent travelling, hotel stays, and of course Emma won’t be able to work during that time. Her life is on pause as she embarks upon an intense battle to shrink her very large/aggressive tumour before surgery can be contemplated.

Ewing Sarcoma is known to be aggressive and painful, and Emma now has very limited mobility on her affected side. While Emma’s spirits are as well as can be expected, she has a long road ahead, with many more tests to determine that the cancer has been spreading. It has been a non-stop nightmare for the family and those that love and support this beautiful girl.

Emma has been told to stop working as the chemo treatments will cause nausea, vommiting, deplete Emma of much needed strength and rest. In order to alleviate any financial stress I am hoping to help lessen the load that no parent, partner or family ever wants to have to contemplate.

Emma is a bright soul and will go on to do amazing things when this is all behind her. She has already mentioned helping others with cancer, and that just shows how special she is. I have a daughter similar in age. I can not imagine the pain everyone is feeling. I too fought cancer, and there is nothing stronger in the world than knowing people are in your corner, and would actually do anything to help! Emma has a huge battle ahead for many months and Ewing Sarcoma is considered quite rare in adults. Treatments include chemo, radiation, surgery to remove bone affected, and more chemo. Life will be very different for Emma and her family in the next year, and any assistance, will mean so much. Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers.