When a downtown Mission business owner spread the word about her ill nephew, her fellow store owners came together to lend a hand.
The result is a pair of fundraisers dubbed Love For Liam.
Jess Evans, owner of Frame It On First, says she has just “been a mess” about her nephew’s health battle.
The son of her youngest sister, Liam is a five-year-old boy with non-verbal autism, who has also been diagnosed with Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
Evans said Liam recently suffered a two-hour long seizure and a stroke that has left him in B.C. Children’s Hospital since Feb. 7.
“He’s gotten through the hard part and is on chemotherapy again,” said Evans.
Liam’s parents are focusing on his health, staying by his side while also caring for his brother and trying to manage the many expenses in these difficult circumstances.
When fellow Mission business owner Karla Turner, of Karla’s Specialteas, heard about Liam, she began to contact other businesses about a fundraiser.
And the businesses answered.
Currently there are two different fundraisers going on – one at Magnolias on Main and the other at The Penny.
Magnolias is selling $30 fresh cut floral bouquets at the store, featuring an assortment of seasonal flowers and red roses. All proceeds go to Liam’s family
The bouquets are available now and the offer ends on Friday, April 22.
At the Penny, for every Raspberry Latte or Raspberry Rooibos Tea purchased in April, $2 will be donated to the family.
“Everyone has been so helpful. I couldn’t have done it without Karla, she even donated some tea to the Penny fundraiser,” said Evans.
There is also a GoFundMe account set up for the family. Visit https://gofund.me/ddec90d6 to donate.