Kelsey was a ray of sunshine to all she encountered. Cheerful, happy, bright, and often silly. She faced every challenge with grace, light, and perseverance. Kelsey was determined to do all that she set her mind to, and she never let anything get in her way.

At 3.5 years old, Kelsey had what appeared to be a childhood cold. After a week of no improvement her mother went with her intuition and took her to Children’s Emergency. After hours in Emergency, her results revealed every parent’s worst fear, Kelsey had Cancer.

The diagnosis was Nasopharyngeal Embryonal Rhabdomyosarcoma, an inoperable tumor that within hours of detection had taken her sight and some of her hearing. The tumor was pressing on the chiasm optic nerve causing damage and resulting in complete loss of vision. Unfortunately, the cancer had also metastasized to her lungs.

Tragically, the world lost Kelsey in September 2020 when she was only 9 years old. In her short life, Kelsey had already published two books, performed piano for Cops for Cancer and Canadian Cancer Society fundraising events, and won first place at the CNIB Braille Creative Writing Contest. She had a zest for life and creativity that knew no bounds.

I had the immense pleasure of spending time with Kelsey through my work with Blind Beginnings. I got to spend a day paddle boarding on a lake with Kelsey; a memory I will cherish forever.

My wish is that more kids who recieve a cancer diagnosis will live past 9 years old to see more days out on a paddleboard.