Brainchild

Police officers Lisa and Jarrod Boon were overjoyed when they became the parents of a beautiful healthy girl on Feb. 18, 2009. But just four months after Suri Olivia Boon was born, she was diagnosed with ATRT, a form of aggressive malignant brain tumour. “We just couldn’t believe it. We never asked why it was happening, we just accepted that we had to deal with it, move forward and stay positive,” says Lisa. Despite the Hospital for Sick Children’s unwavering efforts to sustain Suri’s life, she died on Dec. 2, 2009. Throughout it all, Suri never stopped smiling. She was a relentless fighter who inspired everyone that came in contact with her. Now her parents are picking up where she left off in the battle against one of the deadliest childhood cancers. “We’ve always said that Suri would do great things whether she was here or not.” This past February – on what would have been Suri’s first birthday – Lisa and Jarrod shaved their heads to raise funds for Brainchild, a brain tumour research assistance and information network led by SickKids. “Maybe we were given this because we’re the type of people that can help find a cure. It just doesn’t seem fair that any child should have to go through this,” says Jarrod, who hopes to raise $50,000 by next year’s fundraiser. As difficult as it has been, Lisa and Jarrod try to remain positive. “Appreciate your children and always live life in the moment.” Find out how you can help at: www.sickkids.ca/brainchild, www.suris-smile.blogspot.com

ABOVE LEFT: Suri Olivia Boon. ABOVE RIGHT: Parents Jarrod and Lisa Boon.