Via TodayNews
cancer
Via globalnews
As if we needed more reasons to love Ryan Reynolds, right? Ryan Reynolds took to his Facebook page to honor the late Connor McGrath, who Reynolds met at Edmonton hospital when McGrath was still battling cancer. The two enjoyed an advanced screening of Deadpool together. McGrath has since passed away, and Reynolds honors him in a truly moving way. RIP Connor.
Via People
Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, and Gwyneth Paltrow visited Ryan Wilcox, an 18-year-old who's been diagnosed with leukemia the second time. "She (Paltrow) told me this is a gift from one mom to another mom," Ryan's mom, Amy Wilcox, told the Associated Press. "She knew how happy it would be for me to see Ryan so happy."
Before we dive into the pictures that have surfaced from their visit, check out this profoundly heartwarming video Chris Evans sent Wilcox before their arranged visit, where he tells Wilcox to keep up 'n keep fighting on.
Robert and his dog have been together since she was a puppy and he intends to keep it that way! Bella was diagnosed with cancer, which took her leg. The vet gave her only 3-6 months to live, but here she is 14 months later and on the adventure of a lifetime! You can follow Rob and Bella's journey here and here.
Via Babble
Something magical happens when this group of crochet enthusiasts meet to make dreams come true.
Former oncology nurse and mom Holly Christensen has started a group called The Magic Yarn Project, a clan of dedicated crocheters that meet to make Disney princess wigs for children with cancer.
A daughter of one of Christensen's friends was diagnosed with lymphoma so she decided to make a Rapunzel yarn wig. Here's what she told Babble:
"I knew she would be going through a difficult time, and that no one would be able to take her suffering away. I also knew that losing her long, curly blonde hair at not even 3 years old would be difficult for her, so I figured that the yarn wig could help bring a little magic and fun to a difficult time in her life."
Designs include princess Elsa and Anna from Frozen and princess Jasmine from Aladdin.
The group has a GoFundMe account set up to help fund even more wigs for children around the world battling cancer.
Via Mike Wilson 3RUN
Mike Wilson, a professional parkour and freerunning athlete, wanted to do something special for his 5-year old son Jayden, who was diagnosed with a terminal brain tumor.
So on his birthday this year, he made a replica Spider-Man suit and jumped down from the roof to pay him a visit, capturing the moment with a hidden GoPro camera.
You can read more updates about Brayden on his Facebook page.
Via wensenrijders
The 54-year-old keeper, Mario, has worked at the zoo for almost 25 years and now has terminal cancer. He asked to be taken to the giraffe enclosure one last time to say goodbye to the animals.
Via VancityReynolds
Ryan Reynolds' dear friend, 13-year-old Connor McGrath just passed away after battling cancer for multiple years. The following was posted by Reynolds on his Facebook page, following McGrath's passing:
For three straight years, my friend, Connor McGrath drop-kicked cancer... Not sure how... Maybe the cancer cheated... But the fight came to an end two nights ago.
In my wildest dreams, I can't imagine how hard this is for his parents Kim and Gerald - along with his extended family in Newfoundland.
Connor was 13. But this kid... He was smart. He was funny. And not just funny 'for a kid' - or funny 'for a person battling something awful'. He was unqualified funny. He had that... thing.
That thing you see in great performers or comedy writers. A running commentary/observational skill people are just lucky to be born with.
He went way too early and it's impossible to reconcile. Connor was a great friend, a great son, and a light to the people lucky enough to know him. While repeatedly punching cancer in the balls, he made everyone laugh. Including the entire staff who cared for him at Edmonton's Stollery Children's Hospital.
It was the Make-A-Wish Foundation that brought us together. I can't thank them enough. Seriously. Thank you. Because of his wish, Connor was the first person to see Deadpool. I traveled up to Edmonton, Alberta to surprise him with a rough cut of the film. There were still huge sections with wires we hadn't yet painted out, jokes which weren't working (and still aren't) and green screens. Connor didn't seem to mind. And I'd never felt luckier to get to be Wade Wilson.
***Before you jump down my throat for showing a 13 year old an R-Rated film, please know this kid knew more swear words than a British chef.
I went back to Edmonton 6 weeks later and I wish I could say things were looking up. After my visit, I didn't know if I was saying goodbye or see ya later. Sitting here now, I realize it was both.
I'm grateful I got to orbit Connor's world for a brief time. Grateful for the pages and pages of hilarious texts between us. Grateful to his parents for allowing Connor to spend time with a foul-mouthed child in the body of a 39 year old.
I called Connor, "Bubba". And he called me "Bubba2". We met because he loved Deadpool. In a certain sense he WAS Deadpool. Or, at least everything Deadpool aspires to be; balancing pain, fearlessness, love and a filthy (filthy!) sense of humor in one body. I wish he could've stuck around a lot longer.
If you'd like to donate to The Make-A-Wish Foundation, I can pretty much guarantee, your money's going to a damn good place. These people do not suck. They are heroic. Full stop. http://makeawishna.ca/wishes/donate
My deepest condolences and thanks to Kim, Gerald and the entire clan McGrath -- who loved this little boy so very well. And thankfully, Connor knew it.
See ya down the road, Bubba.
- r
By Unknown
From the video description:
Zach Sobiech is 17 years old and diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer that takes the lives of a large percent of its childhood victims. Given only months to live, Zach turned to music to say goodbye. His song "Clouds" spread, and soon, Zach's message was heard across the country. We wanted to help Zach spread his message, and bring awareness to increase support for finding a cure. So, we asked our friends to help out...they did.
