UPDATE – 7:15 PM: Elijah is on his way home following a stop in Espanola. He should be in Elliot Lake by 8:15 or so, friends of the family and representatives from the Espanola Elks and Espanola Lions Club were at the intersection of Highway 17 and 6 near Espanola to honour our Little Warrior … #23 remembered forever!
Born with heterotaxy syndrome, seven-year-old Elijah Caden Hennessey of Elliot Lake underwent multiple surgeries just to survive. But it was not to be. His little heart could no longer carry the burden, and he has gained his wings.
Elijah was receiving care in the Cardiac Critical Care unit at SickKids Hospital in Toronto and passed away Thursday afternoon.
Elijah’s life began numerous challenges—the diagnosis of heterotaxy syndrome, a rare congenital condition that disrupts the typical arrangement of internal organs, affecting his heart, lungs and vascular system, would lead to many trips to local hospitals and Sicks Kids in Toronto.
His mother, Jessie Hennessey, says they chose to name him Elijah Caden, which means fighter, holding onto our faith in miracles, and so he became known widely as the Little Warrior.
From the time of his birth, he had to overcome and go through several medical procedures to help his heart and lungs function as close to normal as possible.
Through it all, his family and the wider community of Elliot Lake, Espanola and the North Shore Corridor, have stepped up and helped when and where they could to help alleviate costs not covered by any programs, or just to provide moral support.
Jessie had been hoping he would be strong enough to travel to Boston for a life-changing surgery and a Go Fund Me was set up last month to help alleviate the costs, but it is not to be.
Elijah returns home tonight … his cavalcade is expected to drive through the Highway 17 and 6 intersection near Espanola between six and eight pm, and home to Elliot Lake between seven to nine pm.
Those who wish to mark his passing and show the respect for the Little Warrior, are asked to come out and show their support for his family, his parents, Jessie and Thomas, and his siblings, Shannon, 17, and Caleb, 4.
Rest in Peace, Little Warrior, you marked many lives in your short time here, so many memories, too little time.
