Emma's battle with cancer

This brave and beautiful girl is my niece, Emma Junkin. She is 16 years old and has been fighting her battle with cancer since June 2021. Emma was first diagnosed with stage 4 Hodgkin's lymphoma on June 16th 2021. She completed 16 weeks of chemo and 3 weeks of radiation. In October 2021, following several treatments, ill side effects and endless hospital stays Emma rang 'the bell' at Sick Kids Hospital believing she had beat her battle.

Recently in June 2022, following her first 3 month post treatment CT scan, it showed an enlarged lymph node suspicious of Hodgkin's relapse. Emma had multiple biopsies, the last one it confirming Hodgkin's lymphoma cancer has relapsed. She will now ungergo 6 weeks of chemo targeting the Hodgkin's lymphoma followed with 4-5 weeks hospitalization receiving high intense chemo and a bone marrow transplant expected to take place in September 2022. Beyond that, Emma will continue to have chemo therapy every 3 weeks for one year thereafter.

This beautiful girl has endured more than any child and family should ever have to (at 5 years old, she was hit by a car and suffers a brain injury, at 15 years old began her cancer journey and at 16 years old continues to fight this battle).

As prepared as some of us are, no one is ever ready for the financial costs of a child undergoing treatment. Since they live almost two hours away from the SickKids Hospital, they will incur bills for parking, hotel rooms, meals, transportation, gas, etc. 

Any financial support will cover costs to support Emma through her medical journey and take a significant burden off of her parents during this difficult time. 

So many of us are rallying for Emma as she continues to fight this battle. It is one she will not fight alone. Thank you to everyone for your prayers and support.