Supporting The McLeods

No one wants to imagine a world where one of their children needs intense medical treatment to live a normal life but imagine a world where both children do. This is the McLeods current reality.

Vanessa & Sean have two beautiful girls, Elena (8) and Ivy (5). Elena has courageously fought for her life while battling Lymphoma for the last 15 months, 11 of those were spent either inpatient at BC Children’s Hospital or at Ronald McDonald House, in Vancouver. During the course of Elenas treatment, Vanessa committed to being a full time caregiver in Vancouver to Elena while Sean was at home in Chilliwack with Ivy and working full time.

In April, after 304 days away from home and separated as a family, Elena and Vanessa returned home. Elena began the next phase of her treatment protocol which is an additional 14 months of daily oral chemotherapy, rehabilitation and recovery from the intense 4 rounds of frontline treatment.

Vanessa jumped right back into work in attempt to financially catch their family up from taking a full year off work to be with Elena. Not even four full months together at home, they were given a surgery date from Ivys orthopaedic surgeon which will begin a new phase of their families journey, next week.

Ivy was born with multiple limb differences, including bilateral trans humeral amputations, as well as a congenital femoral deficiency. For the next six months, Ivy will have an external fixator device attached to her femur, meaning she will not be able to run, jump or play like she is used to as a 5 year old full of energy and joy. Vanessa will use a tool to disrupt the bone, three times a day to promote gradual bone growth. This surgery and recovery will require daily pin site care, infection control and extensive physio for Ivy.

On top of all their regular bills, they're dealing with additional medical expenses and now Sean's vehicle is having mechanical issues. The last thing we want for the McLeods is to allow financial pressure to add extra unnecessary stress to their lives.

Funds raised will help with expenses including mechanical, medical and travel to and from BC Children's Hospital from Chilliwack for frequent monitoring by both Ivy and Elena's medical teams, supporting the family while Vanessa once again steps away from work to become a full time care giver and help with any other day to day expenses allowing them to focus their energy to caring for both their girls.

Other ways to help include teaching your children about diversity and inclusion, donating blood, words of encouragement, sending a gift from the girls Amazon wish list and sharing this fundraiser!

They have handled every hurdle thrown at them with such grace and we know they will get through this too but lets help take one thing off their plates. Thankful for your support now and always.

Xo Charlene