The family of Marlie Curwin is making sure her legacy lives on by continuing to encourage people to sign up with the Bone Marrow Registry.
Marlie lost her battle with leukemia back in June. She would have turned two years old on Thursday.
Her mother, Erin Curwin, says she’s still very present in the lives of those who love her.
“She was spunky and mischievous, funny and smart,” said Curwin. “She was just perfection.”
The toddler inspired thousands of Maritimers to add their names to the national Bone Marrow Registry in hopes of finding a lifesaving match.
“Our target in Atlantic Canada was to gain 3,600 new registrants this year,” said Peter MacDonald of Canadian Blood Services. “We exceeded that with over 4,200, and that particular patient campaign, particularly with New Brunswick-based events, accounted for 21 per cent of all registrants.”
Curwin doesn’t plan on ending her fight any time soon. On Friday, family and friends will brave the elements for a wintry outdoor birthday party.
But the celebrations don't stop there. Team Marlie is also hosting several Bone Marrow Registry drives across New Brunswick.
Canadian Blood Services says there are currently 800 Canadians still looking for a match.
“It's a wonderful feeling in my heart that so many people cared for my baby girl,” Curwin said.
While butterflies and bubbles remind family and friends of a little girl gone too soon, it's also spurred them to fight for more funding for childhood cancers in hopes another child could be saved.
“I think about what she would be doing right now, her milestones she would have reached and how her personality would have grown so far,” said Curwin.
Friday's celebrations will bring some light to a sad day, but Team Marlie says it will make sure none of their efforts will be in vain.
With files from CTV Atlantic’s Cami Kepke.
