At the end of January 2016, Laura Hillier passed away. She died at 18 years old from acute myeloid leukemia, while waiting for a transplant.
Laura died quietly, surrounded by loved ones in a hospital in Canada.
When Laura was 13, she was told that she had leukemia. Then after almost four years of treatment, she received joyous newsh—her cancer was gone.
But in May 2015, it came back with a vengeance.
Laura, who went to Nelson High School in Ontario, was known at the school for her love of music and theater.
Laura’s classmates and family members brought the tradition of writing notes in high school yearbooks to Laura’s funeral so they could give her a proper love-filled farewell.
In homage to Laura’s life, her family, friends, neighbors, teachers, classmates, and hospital staff all wrote her greetings.
Their handwritten, sentimental messages covered her coffin.
When they read the greetings, Laura’s family were overwhelmed by the outpouring of support.
“You were musical. You were artistic. You were understanding. You were my bestest friend.”
“Very brave and strong. You will always be a hero.”
Laura’s favorite color, purple, was on display during the funeral; the church was adorned with purple flowers and everyone present wore at least some purple somewhere on their clothes.
Although Laura was taken much too early from this earth, it’s heartwarming the outpouring of support she had from her community.
Please share Laura’s story to help pay tribute to this brave girl and to show that we will never stop fighting to stop this horrible illness.
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