BC Women’s Hospital in Vancouver is the starting point for a long journey for a Salmon Arm family.
Salmon Arm’s Brianna and Chad McLellan are expecting a baby, Ollie, on July 21. They recently learned that their tiny unborn son suffers from a rare hernia – a congenital diaphragmatic hernia. It is diagnosed in just one in 2,500 babies per year.
Ollie is the baby brother of Bryson, Carter and Peyton who are 11, 9 and 5.
The hernia means that Ollie’s diaphragm hasn’t fully formed, so his abdominal organs have pushed up into his chest cavity. His little heart has been pushed to one side and there’s little space left for his lungs to grow.
Brianna’s sister, Kelli Thompson, has organized a fundraiser, with help from her other sister, Deidra Staley.
Thompson’s Facebook page notes: “Between now and then (Ollie’s birth date) his mom will need to make a number of trips to Vancouver to the BC Women’s Hospital to have continued amniotic testing and to meet with Ollie’s surgical team to make a plan for his arrival. Once Brianna is in her 35th week of pregnancy, she will make a final trip to Vancouver where she and Ollie will remain until he’s ready to greet the world.
“As soon as Ollie is born, he will be whisked away from Brianna to receive a series of corrective surgeries.”
The baby is expected to need to spend up to six months in hospital after his birth, with his mom staying in Ronald McDonald House.
“Thanks to their amazing program, the cost is only $12 a day,” writes Thompson, pointing out that she would like to raise enough money to cover the bill.
Staley notes there will be other expenses such as childcare for Ollie’s siblings, gas and food.
On Friday, May 1, a Burger, Beer & a Band FUNdraiser for Ollie will be held at the Hideaway Pub beginning at 5 p.m. Cost $20 per person.
Also, people willing to contribute can ‘Donate or Shop the Sale,’ a garage sale to be held on Saturday, May 23 in Upper Canoe Creek Estates, 6630 51st St. NE, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Small items can be dropped off at the barber shop across from downtown Askew’s. To arrange for delivery or pick-up of larger items, call Kelli at 250-804-8114 or Shayne at 250-804-8713.
If you prefer to donate funds, go to either SASCU location in town where an Ollie McLellan trust account has been set up.
Staley says people have already been very supportive.
“We’ve always said we love Salmon Arm because of its small-town feel and now she (Brianna) is feeling it. People who don’t even know her have been pretty amazing.”
