The team that will take part in Sunday’s 24th annual Victoria Brain Tumour Walk at UVic still bears his name.
But this year, Kaiden’s Kape Krusaders will be walking to honour the 11-year-old’s memory.
“We prayed that Kaiden would be able to join us for the Brain Tumour Walk,” said his mother Tasha Finley.
“But we know that he will be here with us in spirit. He was at the event last year and was keen to raise awareness so that other families don’t follow our journey. I will continue to share Kaiden’s story in the hope that it helps other families”.
The boy who inspired many with his courage and passion died in March, just two years after a CT scan first revealed a large tumour on the back of his head.
He had undergone surgery followed by weeks of high dose radiation and then decided to take part in the annual walk in 2018.
“Kaiden proudly wearing his superhero cape as well as the blue t-shirt that brain tumour survivors wear,” his mother recalled.
But by September of 2018, the cancer had returned.
“Kaiden had six new tumours two in his neck/brain stem & down the spine,” she said.
“They were told that there were no more treatment options, due to the high levels of radiation that Kaiden had already received and the placement of the new tumours.”
On January 16th, 2019, Kaiden was sworn in as VicPD’s “Chief for a day” with Chief Del Manak calling him the “youngest and best Chief ever!”
Soon after, his condition worsened and he passed away in March.
“We are so grateful to families like Tasha’s, who keep their loved one’s memories alive through these events,” says Susan Marshall, CEO of the Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada.
“We will continue to walk every year until the cause of and a cure for all brain tumour types has been found.”
The Victoria Brain Tumour Walk takes place on Sunday, May 26th at the University of Victoria.
Registration at Parking lot 10, 3800 Finnerty Road, opens at 8:30 a.m., with the walk starting at 10 a.m.
Ben O'Hara
