The mother and sister of a childhood cancer victim have dubbed Oct. 6 as Pink Tutu Avenger Day.
Leona Mittlefehldt was just 10 when she passed away on May 17 after an almost-three-year battle with Wilms tumour, a form of cancer in the kidneys.
“Her birthday was Oct. 6,” said her mother, Amanda Morrison. “Her sister (Halia) and I wanted to celebrate it for her.”
So, in memory of Leona, they are encouraging people to take part in blood donation events organized by Canadian Blood Services on Oct. 2, 2 p.m. to 7 p.m., and Oct. 6. 1:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., at Hope Christian Reform Church, 64 Buchanan Cres., Brantford.
“She had so many transfusions through her treatment, so she knew that donating blood was very important,” Morrison said of Leona.
A children’s author, Morrison’s last book, My Sister’s A Superhero, tells the story of how Leona and her sister became superheroes for each other.
Pink Tutu Avenger is the result of an online poll to create the superhero name, said Morrison.
“Leona loved it!”
Leona is described as a fighter, not only for herself but others. When she felt well enough, she ran lemonade stands to raise money for cancer research. Why? “Because there are other kids, mom,” she told Morrison.
While at the hospital for treatment, Leona made a point of talking with other child patients who were scared.
“She would even tell the kids which nurses would get them extra ice cream, if they asked nicely,” Morrison recalled. “Leona had a big personality.”
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