Close X
Friday, November 8, 2024
ADVT 
National

Terminally Ill Boy Who Galvanized An Ontario Town To Give Him An Early Christmas Dies

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 07 Dec, 2015 12:53 PM
    BRANTFORD, Ont. — A terminally ill Ontario boy whose wish for an early Christmas attracted a heartfelt outpouring of support has died.
     
    A statement posted on the Facebook page of the Stedman Community Hospice in Brantford says seven-year-old Evan Leversage died early Sunday morning, just a few weeks after his community put on a Christmas parade for the dying boy.
     
    "Evan died peacefully and pain free in his mom Nicole Wellwood's arms," said the statement.
     
    Evan, from the small Ontario community of St. George, suffered from an inoperable brain tumour.
     
    Doctors told the boy's family this year that they weren't sure if he would live to see this Christmas, so St. George put on an early Christmas parade in October, complete with artificial snow strewn around Evan's home.
     
    The boy got to hop onto Santa's sleigh and ride with him through the streets of St. George with thousands of townspeople looking on.
     
     
    Evan was admitted to the Stedman facility on Nov. 4 and his family had maintained a vigil at his bedside ever since.
     
    "One of Evan's favourite highlights during his stay at the hospice was the day that staff wheeled his bed into the family room so that he could direct the volunteer firefighters who were putting together the huge 12-foot Christmas tree," the statement said.
     
     

    Thank you to Evan's family for giving us the privilege of caring for this special little boy who has left an imprint on...

    Posted by Stedman Community Hospice on Sunday, 6 December 2015
    "Evan took great pride in telling them where to put each decoration on that tree and also enjoyed a special visit from Santa."
     
    The boy's story attracted international attention with people reaching out from as far away as Australia and the United Kingdom, among other places.
     
    "One of Evan's favourite things to do was to have his family read all the mail that he received from caring people around the world. The family was told by the St. George Post Office that Evan has received even more mail than letters to Santa," the statement said. 
     
    Social media was flooded with condolences Sunday.
     
    "RIP Evan Leversage. You did what most of us never will~ you brought a community together in love," one person posted. 
     
     
    The Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada joined with his family earlier this year to launch a fundraising campaign to support research into childhood brain cancer.
     
    Funeral arrangements are to be finalized in the coming days.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Nanaimo Pot Shops Face RCMP Crackdown As Three Dispensaries Raided

    Nanaimo Pot Shops Face RCMP Crackdown As Three Dispensaries Raided
    The warrants were served nearly three weeks after cease-and-desist letters were handed to the operators of 10 dispensaries, giving them seven days to close their doors or face possible charges.

    Nanaimo Pot Shops Face RCMP Crackdown As Three Dispensaries Raided

    Suspected Dog Poisonings Prompt Investigations By Two Ontario Police Forces

    Suspected Dog Poisonings Prompt Investigations By Two Ontario Police Forces
    TORONTO — Two Ontario police forces say they're investigating what they suspect to be deliberate attempts to poison dogs.

    Suspected Dog Poisonings Prompt Investigations By Two Ontario Police Forces

    Ontario Will Not Allow Any Community Outside Toronto To Have A Land Transfer Tax

    Ontario Will Not Allow Any Community Outside Toronto To Have A Land Transfer Tax
    TORONTO — The 444 municipalities across Ontario will not be given the same power as the city of Toronto to impose a land transfer tax.

    Ontario Will Not Allow Any Community Outside Toronto To Have A Land Transfer Tax

    Now, Justin Trudeau's Liberals Must Put Money Where Mouth Is On Climate Change

    Now, Justin Trudeau's Liberals Must Put Money Where Mouth Is On Climate Change
    Prime Minister Justin Trudeau returns from an appearance at an international climate change conference with a simple question hanging over his head: What now?

    Now, Justin Trudeau's Liberals Must Put Money Where Mouth Is On Climate Change

    High Court Agrees B.C. Man's Rights Violated, But Grants Crown Appeal

    High Court Agrees B.C. Man's Rights Violated, But Grants Crown Appeal
    VANCOUVER — A new trial has been ordered for a southeastern B.C. man after the province's highest court overturned a judicial stay of proceedings in a case of criminal negligence causing death.

    High Court Agrees B.C. Man's Rights Violated, But Grants Crown Appeal

    PM Justin Trudeau Said Willing To Look At That Voting Ban For Long-Term Expats

    PM Justin Trudeau Said Willing To Look At That Voting Ban For Long-Term Expats
    In an interview from the U.K., Laura Bailey says she met Trudeau at a reception at the Canadian High Commission on Nov. 25 as he moved through the crowd and shook his hand.

    PM Justin Trudeau Said Willing To Look At That Voting Ban For Long-Term Expats