Hope is Resting

On February 18th, I will eat a scoop to remember Hope, because #kidsgetcancertoo. #foreverfive #missed #relapse @eaticecreamday

From Hopes Mom, “Hope is our first child and we were smitten by her from the moment she was born.  She was lively and happy and had the most beautiful cheeky grin.  Hope loved to talk, sing and dance and having stories read to her was one of her most favourite activities in the world.  She was an expert at the “indirect request”, particularly when it came to ice cream, chocolate or any other favourite food.  She was inseparable from her taggie blanket and could often be found tucked up on the couch sucking her thumb with her taggie.  She loved the colour purple and was particular about wearing swishy dresses with “handles” (i.e. sleeveless).

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Hope was diagnosed with cancer when she was newly 2 years old, after a long period of worsening illness.  She spent a year in active treatment, which included chemotherapy, surgery, stem cell transplant and radiotherapy.  Her second year of treatment consisted of 9 months of oral chemotherapy, and at the end of the second year was found to be officially (cautiously) free of cancer.

Unfortunately, just a few months later Hope’s cancer relapsed, and she was given just a few weeks left to live.  We fought hard for more treatment for her (which was not part of standard relapse treatment where we live, but is elsewhere) and after agreeing to this treatment, Hope lived for another whole year.  She passed away on February 20th, 2012, one day after her 5th birthday.

Hope has two younger brothers, one now aged 7 and one aged 3.  Our youngest was born after Hope passed away but both boys love to look at photos and videos and they feel like they know her well.  We have a long-standing aim as a family to be more active and outdoorsy – it’s a slow progression but we’re getting there!  We’re so grateful to have the love and support from some wonderful people that we count as family.”