Fundraising for Eli

Photo: Contributed

File photo of Eli in his playhouse last year.

While six-year-old Eli Johannson continues his second battle with an aggressive form of cancer, friends continue their efforts to raise funds for his family.

A Harvest Festival benefit evening is being held on Sept. 30th to help Eli's parents stay in Vancouver while the youngster undergoes another year of intensive treatment, involving chemotherapy, surgery and possibly radiation.

The benefit night includes tapas made from local food, drinks, entertainment and live and silent auctions.

“The community has done a really good job of supporting Eli and his family, but we're still early in the treatment,” said Shawn Sanders, one of the organizers.

Eli was first diagnosed with neuroblastoma cancer when he was three. The disease allows cancer cells to form in the nerve tissue of the adrenal gland, neck, chest or spinal cord and is the third most common childhood cancer.

While he successfully fought it the first time, doctors told the family last April that the illness had returned.

“It's a roller coaster,” Sanders said of the family. “They've got their good days and their bad days.”

Sanders said this time, Eli's mom and dad are trying to split their time with him at the BC Children's Hospital in Vancouver because they have another son to raise as well.

The Harvest Festival benefit is taking place at Durali Villa, 5960 Old Kamloops Road, on Sept. 30 starting at 6 p.m. Tickets are $75 and can be purchased at Monashees, MTS at 4500 29th St., Squires Four Pub, C2 Water Bar/Envy Apparel and City Furniture Vernon.