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The princess among us

There’s a princess in Bonnyville, and her name is Emma. Three-year-old Emma Humphreys was diagnosed with Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Gliomas (DIPG), a disease that causes tumours at the base of the brain.
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Princess Emma was diagnosed with DIPG in late May. Her friends and family have organized a motorcycle rally and community event in her honour.

There’s a princess in Bonnyville, and her name is Emma.


Three-year-old Emma Humphreys was diagnosed with Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Gliomas (DIPG), a disease that causes tumours at the base of the brain.


Known as Princess Emma, her family describes her as a warrior who has faced her prognosis with strength.


On May 28, Emma went for an MRI after undergoing a CAT scan just days before. She was suffering from headaches, leg tremors, night terrors, and bloody noses. It was on the day of her MRI that she was diagnosed with DIPG, and was told it was very unlikely she would survive.


“That was when she became Princess Emma, the warrior,” described Emma’s aunt, Randi Humphreys.


Getting the news that her adopted niece had DIPG was the most “surreal horrific pain you could ever possibly feel.”


“It happened so fast. From what I’m understanding, this is what DIPG does. Because of the symptoms, most doctors don’t catch it altogether. The leg tremors, delayed speech, headaches, night terrors, they’re not altogether. For a child to have a headache, it seems like just a headache... By the time you realize what happened, it’s too late and it’s just a snowball effect,” Humphreys described.


During their visit to the Stollery Children’s Hospital in Edmonton, Emma’s family was told the tumour was inoperable, but they would try to reduce its size using radiation.


In 40 years there has been no advancement in finding a cure for DIPG.


“There have been no survivors of it,” Humphreys said.


With this in mind, Emma’s family made her a princess.


Humphreys explained, “We were starting to fill all of her wishes.”


They bought her a princess dress and spent the day doing everything Emma loves most.


Her grandfather took them for ice cream, they got matching “tattoos,” and had a special photoshoot.


“It really took on a life of its own, the whole princess thing,” added Humphreys.


On July 28, Emma and her dad will be taking one last ride.


What started out as a small group of friends and family enjoying a motorcycle ride with Emma has turned into a rally, fundraiser, and community event.


“It has really snowballed into this big fundraiser,” described Steve Van Hecke, one of the organizers of the ride.


Bikers will be taking off from Cold Lake, heading down to Bonnyville before making their way to the Ardmore Hall for an afternoon with friends and family.


“We’re going to have a day of activities for the kids. There’s going to be bouncy houses, face painting, balloon animals, and loopy balls. It’s really supposed to be a fun family day for everyone,” detailed Van Hecke, adding those interested will have the opportunity to dye their hair pink for a small donation.


A supper and dance will follow, with a live and silent auction.


This year, the money raised through the Ride for Princess Emma will be used to fulfill Emma’s wishes as she fights the disease, and every year that follows, the funding will be dedicated to finding a cure for DIPG.


Registration for the bike rally starts at the Cold Lake Walmart parking lot at 10 a.m. on July 28, with the ride kicking off at noon.


“We’re hoping to be in Ardmore for all of the festivities there around 1 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.,” Van Hecke said. “It’s open to everybody. It’s a family event.”


Humphreys described the community support for Emma and her family as astounding.


“It’s been heartwarming for me and my family, just the generosity not only from the Lakeland. People from Edmonton and Lloydminister are coming, even some of our friends from British Columbia are coming. The support we’re getting is just amazing.”


She and Van Hecke have been working on pulling the event together as a way to give something to not only Emma and her family, but to the community.


“This was something I could do. I can’t take away her diagnosis, I can’t take away her pain,” Humphreys emphasized.


Emma and her sister were adopted by Humphreys’ brother David Humphreys and his wife Cathie-Leigh Hogan.


On behalf of the family, Humphreys thanked everyone for their tireless efforts in bringing the event together for Emma.


“Thank you to everyone. Just thank you. We appreciate everything that everyone is doing for us and for Emma.”


Anyone interested in getting more information about the event can call Steve at 78-385-0409.


A GoFundMe page has been set up by the family. They’re goal is to raise $15,000 to help cover the cost of treatment and travel.


For more information, visit gofundme.com/fightingforprincessemma.

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