Young cancer survivor named Relay for Life ambassador
The seven-year-old ambassador for the local Relay For Life says she’s excited for the role because she “knows how important it is to help others get better.”
Willa Francis of Pictou Landing First Nation was diagnosed in the high-risk category with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) in October 2011.
Since 2012, Willa has attended all but one relay. Her parents started collecting her survivor pins in 2014 after Willa completely finished her treatments. This year, Willa will receive her four-year pin.
“Creating or joining a team with the Pictou County Relay for Life is a great way to get involved with a unique community of cancer fighters and survivors,” says Willa’s mother Dana.
Willa and her family say they’re grateful to the Canadian Cancer Society Relay for Life event, which funds programs and services and research.
“Whether you raise $1,000, $5,000 or even more, what is important, is to be part of it all,” says Dana. “Almost everyone knows someone or has themselves been diagnosed with cancer. Don’t wait until it happens to you to get involved and register your team!”
Willa, daughter of Dana and Dennis Francis and a Grade 2
student at Frank H. MacDonald Elementary School, loves to colour, draw, make crafts and listen to music. She enjoys being outside: the swing set is her favourite place in the summer.
The Francis family, Dennis, Dana, Willa and her brothers Hunter and Payton, are a closeknit
family who enjoy spending time together. Dana explains that it was very hard to be apart during Willa’s treatments at the IWK. As often as possible, they all went together to her appointments and Dennis would bring the boys up to visit when Willa had to stay in the hospital
either in Halifax or at the Aberdeen.
“Willa is the perfect choice for this year’s ambassador,” says Pictou County Relay For Life leadership chair Vicki Moore.
The Relay For Life takes place on Saturday, June 3, at Glasgow Square.