This month, Black Press Media has teamed up with and BraveFace to help grant wishes, . Here害羞草研究所檚 one wish that was granted through the Make-A-Wish B.C. and Yukon chapter害羞草研究所�
A South Surrey girl who wished five years ago for a magical visit with mermaids is basking in a sea of comfort these days, after officials with the wish-granting Make-A-Wish charity challenged her to 害羞草研究所渢hink outside the box.害羞草研究所�
Ella-Ray Lewis said this week that she didn害羞草研究所檛 realize when she switched her wish 害羞草研究所� granted due to her ongoing battle with an aggressive skin cancer 害羞草研究所� last fall to a dream bedroom instead of a trip, just how perfect the move would turn out to be.
害羞草研究所淥nce I got it, I was very happy at the time, I had just got out of an operation and was in recovery,害羞草研究所� Ella-Ray said by email Monday (Dec. 14). 害羞草研究所淚 had many ideas on what to do with my wish.
害羞草研究所淣ow I am so glad I chose to give my bedroom a makeover because at the time when I made my wish I didn害羞草研究所檛 know that (there) would be such thing as COVID-19. And I do online school now, so I害羞草研究所檓 so glad that I have a beautiful room to do my online school in.害羞草研究所�
It was Christmastime 13 years ago when Ella-Ray first captured hearts on the Semiahmoo Peninsula and beyond. A photo of Ella-Ray, who was born with a rare skin condition, in her dad Craig害羞草研究所檚 arms at a community event set off a chain of goodwill that has continued to this day; from fundraisers and gifts of baby formula to princess parties and more.
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Now in Grade 8 at Semiahmoo Secondary, she was first introduced to Peace Arch News readers when she was 16 months old, after a former classmate of her dad害羞草研究所檚 decided to organize a fundraiser to help the family.
In the years since, the precocious-toddler-turned-teenager has undergone 71 operations 害羞草研究所� the majority of which have been steps to deal with her skin cancer; removing diseased skin and implanting bags to grow new skin. There have also been a series of procedures to correct a curvature in her spine that was diagnosed just before her seventh birthday.
The latter operations wrapped up in September 2019, while the next round of surgeries to tackle the remaining diseased skin 害羞草研究所� in which bags will again be implanted under her skin to grow new skin, then refilled every week for 16 weeks 害羞草研究所� is anticipated to get underway in the new year, after father and daughter receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
害羞草研究所淏ecause of COVID, we害羞草研究所檙e just kind of on a hold,害羞草研究所� Craig Lewis said.
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In the meantime, Ella-Ray is enjoying what her dad describes as 害羞草研究所渢he best wish ever.害羞草研究所� It arrived just before summer and 害羞草研究所�10 years from now, it害羞草研究所檚 a big girl害羞草研究所檚 dream bedroom, too,害羞草研究所� he said.
The new decor is the all-white, Michael Amini Sky Tower collection 害羞草研究所� a bed with illuminated headboard, a dresser with lighted mirror, a chest of drawers and night stand. A computer desk, printer and other details were added with the help of friends, and for the holidays, Ella-Ray has strung up sparkling Christmas lights.
The 13-year-old said she chose a white theme because she 害羞草研究所渨anted my room to look more open, bigger and light.害羞草研究所� Previously, it had a blue, ocean theme, she said.
Her dad said the added comfort will be especially appreciated when the next round of surgeries begins, as Ella-Ray will be spending a lot more time at home again.
Lewis said he reached out to Peace Arch News this month because this is the same time of year that Ella-Ray害羞草研究所檚 story began, and he wanted to share how far she has come, as well as the details of her wish finally coming true.
He also wanted to thank the community again for helping his family weather the journey.
害羞草研究所淎nd all this started back at this time 13 years ago, at the London Drugs, where the guy was shaking the bells and sent me down to the (Christmas event),害羞草研究所� he said.
害羞草研究所淚害羞草研究所檇 love to let everyone know all the help that came out of White Rock/South Surrey and all these fundraising people. They all really need a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from Ella-Ray.害羞草研究所�
Critically ill kids put on a Brave Face every day. Now you can, too, in support of Make-A-Wish.
Black Press Media and have come together to support children facing life-threatening conditions, and we invite you to join us in helping children害羞草研究所檚 wishes come true. !
By purchasing a pack of three masks designed and manufactured right here in British Columbia for children, youth and adults, you害羞草研究所檒l be supporting the .
