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More than $17,000 raised for Red Deer baby with brain tumour

Isla Stetson is in the fight of her young life.
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A GoFundMe campaign has been set up for Isla Stetson, an eight-week-old baby who was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumour on May 7. More than $17,000 has already been raised in just 24 hours for Isla. (Photo Courtesy of GoFundMe)

Isla Stetson is in the fight of her young life.

The eight-week-old baby, who was born March 20, was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumour on May 7.

When she was just a few weeks old, she had a lazy eye with a dilated pupil and permanent sideways gaze.

After being seen by a pediatric ophthalmologist, she was transferred to the Alberta Children’s Hospital in Calgary for more testing, and that’s where the tumour was found.

A family friend of Melissa and Mark Stetson set up a GoFundMe page to help the family through this difficult time, and in just 24 hours, it has raised more than $17,000, well over the original goal of $5,000.

Since the family has been given this news, Isla’s other eye has begun to deteriorate and doctors say she may lose her sight until they figure out the appropriate treatment.

“The family will be travelling back and forth between Red Deer and Calgary for the foreseeable future,” read the post on the GoFundMe page.

Mark, Isla’s father, is staying in a Calgary hotel to be close to his wife and daughter, but only one family member is allowed in the hospital at a time to visit Isla.

If you wish to donate, the link to the GoFundMe is www.gofundme.com/f/ewbtse-baby-isla.



Byron Hackett

About the Author: Byron Hackett

Byron has been the sports reporter at the advocate since December of 2016. He likes to spend his time in cold hockey arenas accompanied by luke warm, watered down coffee.
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