BC Children's Hospital Foundation

When a child gets sick, a family of support means everything

Last June, Isabella and her family’s world was turned upside-down when they discovered her stomachache wasn’t just a stomachache. It was a symptom of cancer.

Isabella was rushed from her hometown of Nakusp to BC Children’s Hospital in Vancouver, where she would remain until the new year. She’s always been a spunky, brave kid, but the road ahead was devastatingly tough. Isabella lost her ability to play, and she was far from the comforts of home. Thankfully, she had a big family of support—one that included generous donors.

As Isabella navigated difficult chemotherapy treatments, a major 12-hour surgery and over six months of hospital stay, her family of support was there for her every step of the way.

And while her health journey isn’t over, Isabella continues to live up to her nickname: Isabella “the Incredible.”

When Isabella first arrived at BC Children's, she needed a long course of cancer treatments. Then came the next big step in her journey: removing a large Wilms tumour growing on her kidney. To do this, she’d need to undergo a major 12-hour surgery. “Lots of people have mountains to climb. Isabella had what we called her Everest—this one, massive event that she had to face,” said her dad, Brent. Her care team worked tirelessly to make sure she would be as ready as possible. But it wasn’t just them. Donor support has helped fund clinical trial research that directly benefitted Isabella.

“Clinical trials have taught us the importance of biology,” said Isabella’s primary oncologist, Dr. Carol Strahlendorf. “This helped us decide which chemotherapy treatments would be most effective for Isabella, among other important factors.”

September 20 was surgery day. In true Isabella fashion, she walked into the hospital listening to the rocky theme song.

She was ready, and so was her team. A large, diverse group of experts led by Dr. Sonia Butterworth filled her operating room. It was an incredibly complex procedure. Every precaution had been taken, and they successfully removed her tumour—even the part that had wrapped into her heart.

Isabella had made it to the other side of the mountain.

Sometime after the surgery, she noticed a new L-shaped surgical scar on her torso, which her family all agreed stood for “Legendary.” After all, that’s exactly what Isabella was.

Fast forward to spring 2025: Isabella the Incredible is finally back home in Nakusp and in the maintenance phase of her treatment plan. She’s learning gymnastics, going to school, and enjoying her childhood—just as she should.

Her journey with cancer isn’t over, but she’s come a long way, and her family is grateful for everything donors have done to change Isabella’s life, from fueling groundbreaking research to leading-edge surgical equipment to care programs like Child and Youth Therapeutic Services.

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family of support

Since day one, Isabella has found moments of joy through donor-supported Child and Youth Therapeutic Services. These services include programs like child life, music therapy, pet therapy and therapeutic clowning, and they play a critical role in supporting kids’ emotional, mental and social wellbeing in-hospital.

These programs made such a difference to Isabella that she now wants to be a child life specialist when she grows up, so that she can give the same support to others.

All kids deserve to have a childhood, even while receiving life-saving treatment for serious health challenges. Donate today, and ensure more children can benefit from programs like Child and Youth Therapeutic Services.

Isabella’s family of support
Meet Gabriella

When her little sister got sick, Gabriella traveled from Nakusp to BC Children’s Hospital in Vancouver to stay by her side. It was a big decision to leave home, but she knew Isabella needed her for comfort and to bring a sense of normalcy to the situation.

Isabella’s family of support
Meet Dr. Strahlendorf

As a patient at BC Children’s, Isabella met many experts who made her feel special and cared for. One of them was her primary oncologist, Dr. Caron Strahlendorf.

Dr. Strahlendorf has led Isabella’s cancer treatment plan since she arrived at the hospital, and continues to oversee the monitoring phase of Isabella’s cancer journey.

Isabella’s family of support
Meet Ashley, Child Life SPecialist

When Isabella arrived at BC Children’s, she met a lot of new adults who were determined to help her get better. The team she warmed to quickest, though, was donor-supported Child Life.

“During long, difficult health crises, kids have a need for psychosocial support and play,” explained Ashley, a child life specialist who supports Isabella. “That’s why we often bring toys when we make visits. Our job is to give kids the space to just be kids.”

Isabella’s family of support
Pet Therapy

When it comes to a child’s family of support, there are countless people who step up and lend a helping hand—or, in some cases, a helping paw.

Isabella’s experience was no different. Amidst an overwhelming first few days in hospital, her family clearly remembers the moment a little ray of sunshine walked into her room. It was a pet therapy dog.

The Sauder Family’s generous gift and matching contribution exemplify the values instilled by their beloved late parents. Bill and Marjorie Anne Sauder believed strongly in the crucial role of family in supporting children on their healing journey.

Help more kids
get back to being kids

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