UPDATE: 5:30 p.m., Jan. 29

Central Kitchen and Bar owners presented the $10,000 cheque to Elara and her family on Wednesday at B.C. Children鈥檚 Hospital in Vancouver.

Restaurant owner Jared Lee said he鈥檒l never forget the special moment between him and Elara鈥檚 family today.

鈥淚t was very emotional to say the least. During the visit, we chatted with the family and explained the overwhelming turnout from the fundraiser that we had over the weekend,鈥� said Lee.

鈥淎fter we gave them the cheque, Elara鈥檚 family just broke down in happiness.鈥�

Lee said it was great to see the excitement from Elara as they handed over the cheque.

鈥淓lara was really warm towards Devon Murray (the other owner) and me.鈥�

鈥淪he gave us all hugs. That was pretty special for us.鈥�

With the $10,000 donation, over $30,000 has been raised for Elara鈥檚 treatment process.

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Two restaurant owners have pulled through for 91大黄鸭 resident Elara Isagawa, a one-year-old girl who was diagnosed with a tumour by doctors December 24.

Last weekend, 91大黄鸭 Central Kitchen and Bar owners Jared Lee and Devon Murray held a silent auction and burger fundraiser at their restaurant for Elara to help raise money for her treatment process.

Now, the owners head to B.C. Children鈥檚 Hospital in Vancouver on Wednesday to present the family with the donation cheque.

READ MORE: Fundraiser for one-year-old 91大黄鸭 girl with tumour surpasses $10,000 fundraising goal

While Lee said he can鈥檛 reveal the donation amount until the cheque is presented to the family, he said the generosity shown by Kelownians at the event was overwhelming.

鈥淲hen we saw the outpouring of support from people donating between $20 and $500, it was amazing,鈥� said Lee.

鈥淣obody knows this, but we actually raised our fundraising goal when we saw all the support.鈥�

Last December, Elara underwent a major 6.5-hour surgery to remove 98 per cent of the tumour.

She will now need four months of chemotherapy to completely remove the rest of it.

Lee said the fundraiser occurred at the restaurant because of the Isagawa family鈥檚 personal connection to it.

鈥淣ico and Jessica (Elara鈥檚 parents) met and had their first date at our restaurant,鈥� said Lee. 鈥淪oon after, they got engaged and had some of their engagement photos done at the bar. When they got married, Elara followed shortly after.鈥�

On top of the donation amount raised from the event, a by the family has also raised over 21,000 for Elara鈥檚 treatment.

A Comedy for a Cause event is also to help raise money for Elara鈥檚 treatment.

connor.trembley@kelownacapnews.com
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