Photo provided by Joanna Tapp
Norfolk Today first spoke with Andrew Harper almost two years ago to the day about his daughter, Morgan. Then seven years old, Morgan was diagnosed with acute lymphatic leukemia in 2024 after more than a month of uncertainty before doctors at McMaster Children’s Hospital confirmed the devastating diagnosis. Since then, she has undergone chemotherapy while her parents, Andrew Harper and Stephanie Quinn, have remained by her side every step of the way.
The family had been preparing to celebrate Morgan ringing the cancer-free bell this August, but those plans were put on hold after chemotherapy left her immune system severely weakened and she developed a rare pneumonia.
Morgan was admitted to McMaster Hospital on June 28, where her condition quickly worsened. She spent more than two weeks on life support before being removed from a ventilator on July 24. After 21 days in intensive care, she was transferred out of the ICU and has continued making steady progress.
Recent updates on the family’s GoFundMe page say Morgan is now breathing on her own, eating small amounts of food and taking part in physiotherapy. She has begun walking with assistance and was recently granted a day pass to visit her grandfather in Caledonia and enjoy a meal with friends. Her family says there is now hope she could return home sooner than first expected.
Community support has been just as remarkable. The GoFundMe has now raised more than $16,000 in its first week, helping Andrew and Stephanie stay at Morgan’s bedside while covering lost income and everyday expenses. The family says the donations, prayers, messages and kindness have carried them through their darkest days and they remain overwhelmed by the love shown by the community.
Joanna Tapp who organized the Gofundme page says every donation, no matter the amount, and every share of Morgan’s story will help them focus on what matters most, Morgan’s recovery.
A link to donate: https://gofund.me/086ab6d0a
Our original story with interview of Andrew Harper.
Written by Jeremy Hall
