TETLIT'ZHEH/FORT MCPHERSON
Charlotte Francis knew something was wrong with five-week old Emmett. Her son, who was born with a bad case of jaundice, wouldn't eat and seemed to be in constant pain.

Four-month-old baby Emmett Smith is waiting for a liver transplant in Edmonton after being diagnosed with hepatoblastoma, a rare liver cancer, in January. Charlotte Francis, Emmett's mother, is from Fort McPherson. - photo courtesy of Charlotte Francis

"He was in a lot of pain, crying, wouldn't eat," Francis said. "That's why I took him to the emergency ward."

Francis, who is originally from Fort McPherson, now lives in Whitehorse, Yukon with her common law partner, Michael Smith and her three other children: daughter Riley, 6, son Ari, 4 and two-year-old boy, Memphis. Baby Emmett Smith was born Nov. 21.

Once Emmett was admitted to the Whitehorse General Hospital, an X-ray immediately revealed something unusual.

"They took an X-ray scan and it was just strange-looking," Francis said. "There was one big giant mass in his belly."

Emmett and Francis were sent to the BC Children's Hospital in Vancouver where staff performed a biopsy. On Jan. 5, Emmett was diagnosed with hepatoblastoma, a rare liver cancer.

Four days later, Emmett began his first round of chemotherapy.

"We got to Vancouver on a Saturday, by Sunday he had a biopsy done and then by that Wednesday he was already starting chemo," Francis said.

Emmett's tiny body endured three rounds of chemotherapy before he was transferred to Stollery Children's Hospital in Edmonton where he is continuing chemotherapy. His fifth - and Francis hopes final - round begins this week.

"It was really scary," Francis said. "He wasn't in the best shape because he was in so much pain and uncomfortable."

While the chemotherapy is helping to shrink the cancer, Francis said Emmett's only hope is a liver transplant.

"Where his tumour is in his liver, it's right in the middle of it where all the big vessels are," Francis said. "So it shrunk down, but not small enough to remove just the tumour. So they need to remove the whole thing."

Emmett's blood type is O Positive, which means he can only receive a transplant from an O Positive donor.

Francis has the same blood type. However, that doesn't necessarily mean Emmett's body will accept a piece of her liver.

"It's not just, 'OK, you have the same blood type, cut it out and give it to him,'" Francis said. "It's not that easy."

Family and friends have also offered to donate but if no one is a good match, Emmett's name will be added to a waiting list for a cadaveric liver, which is an organ from a deceased person.

In the meantime, Francis said she is focusing on helping Emmett gain weight. Currently only 5.5 kilograms (about 12 pounds), Emmett will need to gain at least another two kg before he will be ready for surgery.

If a match is found and Emmett receives a transplant, he and Francis will be required to stay in the hospital for an additional three months.

Even if the transplant is successful, Emmett will have to take medication for the rest of his life, Francis said. But, she said it will all be worth it.

"This is a chance for him," she said.

Despite all he's been through in his short life, Emmett is a smiley, happy baby and very popular with hospital staff and volunteers, who often get into friendly arguments about who gets to hold him first, Francis said.

"This guy, he's just the best baby," she said. "He's always so happy and smiling. Everybody loves him."

Even the daily series of tests, chemotherapy and injections isn't enough to dampen his good spirits, Francis said.

"He doesn't really cry," she said. "He gets a poke every night in his leg and he doesn't cry. So when he does cry, that's when I know something's up with him."

Francis sleeps beside Emmett's hospital bed every night.

"I haven't been home since January. I have a bed beside him in the room, so I'm always with him," she said. "What makes it harder is I have three other kids at home."

Francis said she has no idea when she will be able to return to Whitehorse and her family.

To help with the cost of being away from home, Francis' family has set up a Go Fund Me account to help raise money. While the account has raised its goal of $10,000, people are still encouraged to donate in case Francis' stay ends up taking several more months.

Francis set up a Facebook page called Baby Emmett Smith to help keep family and friends updated.

She says she's grateful for the generosity friends, family and the public have shown her.

"I just want to say thank you to everyone who has helped and has been sending their awesome good vibes and prayers our way," she said.

No matter what happens, Francis said she knows Emmett will face it bravely, the way he always has.

"He is a little Gwich'in baby and he's tough as nails," she said.

We welcome your opinions. Click here to e-mail a letter to the editor.