They don’t make urns for teenage kids. They shouldn’t have to. Unfortunately, Ashton knew that he would need one. Childcan wanted him to rest in peace, so, with help from our circle of community, we made that possible for him. Our friends at the Carpenter’s Union made the urn. Mark, from Mark’s Graphics helped design the lid based on Ashton’s favourite video game. Sterling helped engrave the design on the lid. It was truly a community piece and an example of one of the million little ways that we are “Facing Childhood Cancer Together”.
Ashton’s story is about more than just his urn. His Mom, Rita, considers it an honour to have part of his story shown to others. Please read on to learn more about this extremely brave and courageous young man.
Ashton was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma on his 17th Birthday. The next day he was in surgery, having his port fitted, and started chemotherapy the day after that. Ashton spent the next 8 months in hospital except for 4 days a month at home. During part of that time, Ashton had his leg amputated through the knee. 30 rounds of chemotherapy later, in April 2022, Ashton stood up smiling to ring the gong. He was cancer free.
Over the following months Ashton regained his strength and energy. He was enjoying school, focused on graduating grade 12, with a goal of regaining his 10-year track record of cross-country running by completing a marathon once his running prosthetic leg came in. Everything was going great for Ashton, he was making new friends and laughing again.
In February 2023, Ashton was at school when he dropped to the floor with chest pains. Rushed to the Emergency Room and 11 hours of tests later, Rita’s was called to see the doctor and her heart dropped to her stomach. “The doctor showed Ashton and I the x-ray. Ashton didn’t know how to read it so he didn’t know that anything was wrong, but I could see it. On his left lung and in his heart, a 6.0 x 7.5 x 8.3 cm tumour. He had relapsed. By the time of his first visit with the oncologist a couple weeks later they told us that Ashton’s cancer was very, very aggressive, fast-growing, and rare, so there wasn’t a lot of medical research on how to treat it successfully. The tumour had metastasized and grown in just those two weeks to the size of a cantaloupe. They sent my son home with a care plan to make him as comfortable as possible and gave my son a prognosis of 2 months, but he was not one to let anyone dictate his life or what he could or couldn’t do.”
Having told to expect to be paraplegic and bedridden by April, in May 2023, he walked across the stage to receive not only his high-school grade 12 diploma, but also an award for his resilience.
He made it all the way to early December 2023 when he decided it was time. “He told me: “Ma, I know this isn’t easy for you but this time I’m ready. I fought hard but I’m so tired. I’m not scared of dying and I’ve made my peace with death, nor do I have any regrets. I just need to make sure you’re going to be okay after I go. You have to promise me.” The next day, per his request, I called MAID services. They began the preparations and called me in. They asked for consent one more time, he said “Yes, I’m ready, it’s time.” He laid in my arms, squeezed my hand, took off his oxygen mask, and as they started preparing the first syringe, he let out a huge sigh, saying “Ahhh… finally”. You could see all the weight he had been carrying this entire time lifted off him and I knew he was finally free. He looked at me and smiled, whispered, “I love you Ma” as he took his last breath, passing peacefully at home.”
“If it weren’t for Childcan and their many forms of help they offered to me, I don’t think I would’ve been able to get through those 2.5 years the way that I did. They helped me cover the cost of hydro so it wouldn’t get shut off, reimbursed medication costs that I had to pay out of pocket, I would walk into Ashton’s hospital room to find envelopes with meal vouchers to help cover the cafeteria costs a little bit. They bring the kids beautiful hand made blankets and a bag full of things that are age-appropriate items, gift cards, and more. They sat with me through the hard appointments, so I wasn’t alone, and came to check in before Ash went into his chemo sessions, and bring him his favorite candy he had been craving. Childcan not only came with me as a support, but they set up and arranged the appointment with the funeral home director. The staff at Childcan understand Childcan families, everything they do is to help the kids continue to live their best lives to the fullest.”
Rita has one more thing to share with you all:
“Ashton told me that he hopes one day I will be able to tell his story to the world in hopes it might help bring peace to someone, give them a little hope, give someone strength to be able to push through another day, or maybe even inspire others”.
Thank you Rita, for fulfilling Ashton’s wish to share his story, and for making a difference for other families affected by childhood cancer. This September, Rita is running in Ashton’s memory and to make a difference for other families affected by childhood cancer. You can support Rita here.
“This fundraiser is so much more than just a fundraiser. To me it is the feeling of knowing that not only myself but all of you as well made someone’s day a little easier to handle and not have to carry such a heavy situation on their own”.