A New Brunswick teenager that kicked off a global kindness campaign was honoured with another mass charity event on Saturday, and a special painting with a nod to her cancer battle.
Becca Schofield has become a household name since beginning her #BeccaToldMeTo movement, which asks people to perform good deeds for others.
Her household is filled with paintings, awards and jerseys since she began the campaign, but the latest highlights the backstory behind the cancer she's fighting.
Moncton artist Marc Little spent more than 20 hours on the oil painting of Becca's favourite Harry Potter character, Hagrid.
“Just to put a smile on her face,” said Little. “Her family has been through a whole lot.”
An aspiring writer, Becca says the Harry Potter series has had a huge influence on her. She even named her three tumours after elements in the books.
“A line in Harry Potter that says, ‘Fear of the name increases fear of the thing itself,’” said Rebecca’s mother, Anne Schofield. “(Becca) didn't want to be afraid of something that came out of her body, so she named it butterscotch. The latest two tumours she got she named Snape and Umbridge, her two least favourite characters in Harry Potter.”
Inspired by Becca's call for kindness, Darren Schofield, Danny Hicks and Marc Little secretly planned the Hagrid painting as a surprise for the 17-year-old.
Becca wasn't feeling well enough to receive the nearly life-size portrait in person, but her parents say it's a hit, and has already found its place of honour in their home – as a symbol of their positive outlook.
Last month, the Schofields were told Becca's tumours had shrunk to half their size, with no signs of new ones.
“We want her to be able to do as much as she can with the good time she does have left,” said Darren Schofield.
Earlier Saturday, 45 volunteers with the Riverview Lions Club were up as early as 4:30 a.m. to prepare for a charity breakfast in her name.
“We met with them and asked them to pick some charities that they thought we could help,” said Robert Gallant of the Lions Club.
More than $5,000 was raised for the Humanity Project, Crossroads for Women, Pro Kids, and the Riverview High class of 2017.
The accolades for Becca keep pouring in. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tweeted a message honouring her earlier this week, and will soon hand her Canada's Emerging Leader Reward.
Becca will also be a guest of honour at the New Brunswick Legislative Assembly in March.
With files from CTV Atlantic’s Cami Kepke.
