N.B. teen who sparked movement dies at 18
Supporters continue to share acts of kindness online to honour her final request
RIVERVIEW, N.B.— A New Brunswick teenager who turned a terminal prognosis into a online movement that has inspired acts of kindness across the globe has died of brain cancer.
Rebecca Schofield of Riverview, N.B., died in Moncton on Saturday evening at the age of 18, her family said in a statement Sunday.
“If the love of a community actually had the medical power to cure childhood cancer, we believe Becca would have lived forever,” the statement said.
“While that wasn’t possible, we believe the countless acts of kindness Becca and her family have received from a community of caring people literally around the globe has at least helped soothe all of our souls.”
Funeral arrangements are being made in Riverview and a date for a celebration of Schofield’s life will be announced soon, according to the family’s statement.
Even in mourning, her supporters say they will continue to carry out her final request: sharing acts of kindness on social media because #BeccaToldMeTo.
“You gave Becca strength and courage throughout her journey. You gave her the profound blessing of knowing in her too short life that she had made a difference. You gave her hope that all the good and the bad of the past three years had a meaning, even at times when that was hard to see,” the family’s statement said.
New Brunswick Premier Brian Gallant extended his condolences to Schofield’s family, friends and “all those who have been touched by this amazing young woman” in a Facebook post Sunday.
“Becca has inspired thousands of people around the world. Her story of selfless dedication to helping others while in the face of immense adversity will continue to inspire New Brunswickers for years to come,” Gallant wrote.
Schofield wrote a bucket list in December 2016 after learning her years-long battle with brain cancer had taken a turn for the worse, with doctors giving her only months to live. The list included some of life’s simple pleasures — playing with puppies, eating her dad’s macaroni and cheese — and one more altruistic request.
“I want to create a mass of acts of kindness,” Schofield told her thousands of Facebook followers. “It can be as big or small as you’d like. Donate to charity, volunteer your time, or even just do the dishes without your parents asking.”
She asked people to post their good deeds to social media using the hashtag #BeccaToldMeTo. The request soon went viral, with people as far away as Australia performing acts of kindness in Schofield’s name.
The campaign even attracted the attention of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who recognized Schofield’s “bravery, volunteerism and inspiring commitment to community” in a February 2017 tweet. The New Brunswick government declared the third Saturday of September “Becca Schofield Day” and had the inaugural celebration in 2017.