In a deeply moving tribute, classmates of a high school student who lost her battle with cancer came together to decorate her coffin with heartfelt messages. The students, alongside the family of Emily Carter, took part in this poignant memorial in Burlington, Canada, to celebrate Emily’s life.
Emily passed away on January 20 due to acute myeloid leukemia, after a long and grueling wait for a stem cell transplant. Having previously overcome the disease four years earlier, she was devastated when it returned in May. Unfortunately, despite several stem cell donor matches, a shortage of beds in hospitals delayed her access to the life-saving procedure.
In a July interview with CTV News, Emily shared that she was 33rd on a waiting list, with only five beds available each month. Other hospitals across Canada also had lengthy wait lists, and traveling to the U.S. for treatment would have cost her family over $250,000, forcing them to remain on the waiting list. During this trying period, Emily was subjected to unnecessary chemotherapy to maintain her remission. “The reality is that many don’t survive long enough to get off the list,” she stated. “Some relapse, some die, and others suffer from infections while waiting.”
Emily’s family later announced on her Facebook page that she had achieved remission again, but sadly relapsed in November 2015 as she was unable to secure a transplant bed in time. She was scheduled to go to a specialized treatment center in California on January 18, but medical complications postponed her trip, leading to her untimely death shortly after.
In a post on Imgur, a classmate shared a photo of Emily’s coffin adorned with handwritten notes from her peers, emphasizing, “A significant reason for her passing was the long wait times for transplant patients.” The image serves as a heart-wrenching farewell and a stark reminder of the lives lost due to inaccessible treatments. Emily’s experience highlights that even finding a suitable donor doesn’t guarantee timely medical care.
In the aftermath of Emily’s passing, her family is actively campaigning to raise awareness about the critical issue of “deadly wait times” for transplant patients. They are also urging donations in Emily’s name to Coast to Coast, a charity dedicated to combating childhood cancer. Transforming her coffin into a beautiful memorial was a profound gesture, yet it reflects a reality that no family should have to face.
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In summary, the heartfelt messages left by Emily’s classmates serve as a powerful reminder of the urgent need for improvements in healthcare access, particularly for transplant patients. This story sheds light on the emotional struggles faced by families enduring similar challenges and the importance of coming together to honor those we’ve lost.
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