Violet McInnis

Violet McInnis' story

Back in 2016, 2 weeks before Christmas, Lizz’s best friend Kat had called her with devastating news about her first born, Violet Mcinnis. She was only 10 months old when she was diagnosed with ALL (acute lymphoblastic leukemia) a rare form of the infant variety. Days before she was taken to the emergency room, Violet was experiencing flu-like symptoms, had purple dots and bruising covering her body, black circles under her eyes and had a rock hard belly.

Violet had spent her first Christmas, took her first steps, and even celebrated her first birthday at the IWK. She was hospitalized for 7 months, undergoing harsh chemotherapy, endless blood transfusions and platelets, and fighting to regain her white blood cells.

As a busy baby, it was tough on her parents...having to be connected to a line for 7 months at the IWK. She was often confused and wanted to play with the other little children, but being immune compromised, it was tough.

Today, she is in grade 3 and has also celebrated 8 years in remission! All thanks to you and the community around you to help end blood cancers.

However, other kids like Violet unfortunately are not so lucky to have the same outcome and I will fund new medical research and advocate for those other children dealing with a blood cancer through Light the Night!