"Heaven became more beautiful today" read one post on the Layla's Army Facebook after a 12-year-old Windsor girl lost her battle against brain cancer.
A year ago, doctors diagnosed Layla Girard with Rhabdomyosarcoma, a cancer of the soft tissue that had spread to her brain. She underwent surgery to have a tumour removed from her brain over the summer and championed through chemotherapy, but sadly, succumbed Monday afternoon.
Girard's aunt, Lisa Ann LeChance, had set up a GoFundMe campaign soon after Layla was diagnosed in October 2018 to cover the family's expenses while she sought treatment in London. The campaign raised more than $25,000.
That was not the only campaign the family embarked on during Layla's battle. Her family also lobbied for more funding the federal government for childhood cancer research, launching Layla's Army, a Facebook group that drew more than 1,400 followers.
Last month, the girl received a call from Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau during his visit to Windsor for a townhall meeting at the St. Clair Centre for the Arts.
In August, the family received news Layla's time was short.
"This past month, we've been bombarded with more downs than ups," wrote Dawn Marchand, Layla's mother. "Yesterday, we were given the worst news this far. Layla's tumour has grown back to almost the same size as the one that was removed.
"The doctors believe that she cannot be cured at this point. Our options are to try some radiation and chemo to give her more time with us, or do nothing and keep her comfortable. We didn't come this far to only come this far... so of course, we're going to try the treatment option," she wrote.
So far, funeral details have not been released.