Laura Hillier was just 13 when she faced something no child should—she was diagnosed with leukemia. For four years, she bravely battled the disease and finally, it seemed like she had won. But then, the unthinkable happened: the cancer came back.
Laura was a bright star at Nelson High School in Ontario, Canada. She was not just a talented student but also someone everyone loved. But despite all her strength and courage, Laura passed away on January 20, 2016, at the age of 18.
She had acute myeloid leukemia, a serious type of cancer, and was waiting for a life-saving transplant. Sadly, that transplant didn’t arrive in time. Laura spent her final moments in a hospital in Canada, surrounded by her loving family and friends.
On the day Laura left this world, her family shared a heartfelt message with the many people who had supported her through her journey. On the “Hope for Laura” Facebook page, they wrote, “She fought bravely and all of you would have been so proud of her. Her poise, her courage, her strength, and her pure spirit shone through right until the end.”
To honor Laura’s incredible life, her family, friends, students, and teachers came together to create a very special tribute. They transformed her casket into a colorful masterpiece, using bright markers to fill it with messages celebrating her life.
It was like a yearbook, filled with loving notes and memories, inspired by Laura’s own 12th-grade yearbook, which she had received not long before she passed.
As these messages covered her casket, something amazing happened—people all over started to hear about it. The tribute quickly went viral, touching hearts far beyond her local community. The messages were full of love and admiration, with many highlighting Laura’s musical talent, her artistic abilities, and the deep impact she had on everyone around her.
Notes like, “You were musical. You were artistic. You were understanding. You were my best friend,” and “Life is a song… Sing ’til your heart’s content,” showed just how much Laura meant to those who knew her.
Purple, Laura’s favorite color, was everywhere at her funeral. From the flowers to the clothes people wore—whether it was a scarf or a tie—purple was a vivid reminder of Laura’s vibrant and lively spirit.
To keep Laura’s memory alive and continue her fight, her family asked that donations be made to Coast to Coast, a national charity dedicated to ending childhood cancer.
This way, Laura’s spirit continues to make a difference, helping other children in their battle against cancer.
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