 Tori was born July 1st, 1994 (Canada Day), and was a
beautiful little girl. She was a wonderful,
caring and sensitive child.
Tori began having back and leg pain at the age
of 5 ½ . We visited doctors, but didn’t get any
answers for a couple of months. She was
diagnosed with Stage IV Neuroblastoma just 3
weeks shy of her 6th birthday. Tori endured the
same gruelling treatment that most of the kids
experience with Neuroblastoma, many rounds of
chemo, surgery, stem cell transplant and
radiation. Within 1 year, her cancer had
returned.
At this point we were given a 5% chance of
survival, and were given the option of doing
nothing. We decided with Tori that we wouldn’t
give up.
The community and many friends
and family rallied around our family the summer
and fall of 2001. Over $100,000 was raised to
assist us with medical and travel costs, because
we knew we would have to go out of Canada for
more treatment.
Tori was put on more chemo, and once the disease
was under control, we traveled to Sloan
Kettering in NY City to do a somewhat
experimental type of treatment called 3F8s. They
were extremely painful, and unfortunately bought
her no time.
Tori started back on the chemo, but had to
discontinue after she experienced a serious
infection and ended up in ICU for a while. From
there we tried MIBG therapy in London, ON, which
was her easiest treatment, but did little to
stop the progression of the disease.
The disease at this point had spread to her
lungs and liver and she was given weeks to live.
This brings us to Christmas 2003, and she was 9
½ years old. We had a wonderful Christmas and
New Year, where she felt great and could do most
things that children do. That, I guess, was our
miracle! In January 2004 she quickly
deteriorated, and she had to be admitted to
hospital because we were unable to control the
pain in her belly. She passed away within days
on January 16th.
Tori, with her infectious smile and passion for
life became an inspiration to many, as friends,
family and community did everything they could
to give Tori a chance. As it turned out, it was
Tori who was giving us something special. Tori’s
courage and strength throughout her battle,
inspired all to carry on each day, and
appreciate the little things in life. She taught
us not worry about the petty things, and to live
each day like it’s your last.
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