For The Love Of Grayson

  • CA$17,631
    Donated So Far
Raised offline: CA$80.00
Total: CA$17,710.50

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Update: We have reached our initial goal of $15 000, but are choosing to leave the site open because so many people still want to donate as the story is touching people far and wide. In addition to that, Kevin and Meagan have expressed their intention to donate some of the funds raised here back to CHEO, Rogers House and Cancer Research in Grayson's name. 

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This page has been created in loving memory of Grayson Rowan Durelle, who passed peacefully away on the morning of November 3rd, 2013, with his incredible parents, Kevin and Meagan, by his side.

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 Like most new parents, Kevin and Meagan were overjoyed when Grayson came into the world on May 19th, 2013. With Kevin's eyes, and Meagan's lips, sweet little Grayson was the perfect blend of them both, and a beautiful addition to their love story.

Over the past year, we have all watched Meagan and Kevin prepare for their wedding, which was due to take place on October 19th, 2013 --- they could not wait to be married and have Grayson be part of their big day, decked out in his little tux and red converse shoes.

Until that point, Grayson had been growing and changing like all babies do - bringing smiles and joy to everyone around him. Meagan and Kevin have said that they never knew love like this existed - both so excited to wake up and see Grayson in the mornings, and Kevin rushing to come home and see him every day after work.

As their friends and family, we have all loved seeing the updates and pictures as their little man grew up, and we have all enjoyed hearing about how Meagan and Kevin were adjusting as new parents, with all the funny 'first-time-he-peed-on-daddy' and 'the-day-his-umbilical-cord-fell-off' type of stories.

It was Thanksgiving weekend --- just one week before the wedding --- when they noticed that something was wrong with Grayson, and on Tuesday October 15th, he was checked out by a family doctor who wasn't able to diagnose anything conclusively, only able to refer them to a specialist. But a mother always knows when something is seriously wrong with her child, and Meagan knew that he wasn't okay....this was not the time to go home and wait.

As soon as they arrived at CHEO, Grayson was admitted, and they began doing tests. There isn't a person reading this who would have imagined anything other than Grayson being released within days....and of course we all hoped that the wedding would still go ahead that Saturday.

After the initial tests revealed tumors in Grayson's little tummy, it was evident that the wedding needed to be cancelled. Calls were placed to Kyle Smendziuk of Extreme DJ, photographer, officiate and Orchard View. Deposits had been made, non-refundable cancellation policies in place....but their focus was not on dealing with businesses and contracts, it was exactly where it needed to be - on Grayson.

No one could have predicted the following weeks, as Kevin and Meagan watched their strong, sweet baby boy get worse, instead of better - undergoing blood transfusions, a biopsy, and countless vitals tests. They were living every parents worst nightmare.

On Friday November 1st, the biopsy results came back that Grayson had a rhabdoid tumor (a rare, aggressive cancer that was speading fast). For the 2 weeks leading up to this point, Kevin and Meagan had gone through the unthinkable - watching Grayson deteriorate quickly, and ultimately opted to spare their son the further stress of chemotherapy, and instead spend their remaining time together as a family. 

Reassuring him that he was loved, that he was strong, that mommy and daddy would stay together and strong for him, and that his mommy and daddy were right there beside him, Grayson passed away quietly in the early morning hours of November 3rd.

Beautiful Grayson will forever be part of Kevin and Meagan, and he will live on in all of our hearts and minds forever.

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The reason for this page is to help Kevin and Meagan deal with the next steps for making the necessary service plans for Grayson along with other daily obligations, as free of financial stress as possible, and without the pressure of having to go back to work before either of them are ready to do so.

Kevin and Meagan have already committed to becoming volunteers at CHEO when they are ready, and also to getting more involved with Cancer fundraising - doing their best to look to the future and the positive while still coping with their devastating loss, and the reality of going from finalizing a wedding to planning a funeral.

Any donation amount is wonderful and appreciated more than you could possibly know. 

 

On behalf of the friends and family who surround Kevin and Meagan at this time - we would like to send our overwhelming gratitude to Orchard View for issuing a full refund for the cancelled ceremony and reception, and also to Kyle Smendziuk of Extreme DJ for his refund as well.

In addition, thank you to every single person who has stopped by this page, shared it, and donated. The outpouring of love and support - even from strangers as far away as Nove Scotia - has been a painfully beautiful thing to see.

 

Kevin and Meagan send their love and gratitude to everyone for their support through this very difficult time.

 

IMPORTANT: when donating, if you do not have a pay pal account, please click on "buy as guest" as the bottom of the pop-up to donate easily with credit card. This site is being maintained by close friend, Jennifer Bennett, and all funds will be forwarded to Kevin and Meagan.

Organizer

Donors

  • Lori Leptick
  • Donated on Nov 25, 2013
  • Kevin and Meagan, I am so sorry for your loss.

Amount Hidden
  • Guest
  • Donated on Nov 18, 2013
CA$50.00
  • Jon Bubitz
  • Donated on Nov 16, 2013
CA$20.00

No updates for this campaign just yet

Donors & Comments

280 donors
  • Lori Leptick
  • Donated on Nov 25, 2013
  • Kevin and Meagan, I am so sorry for your loss.

Amount Hidden
  • Guest
  • Donated on Nov 18, 2013
CA$50.00
  • Jon Bubitz
  • Donated on Nov 16, 2013
CA$20.00
  • Alise & Jason
  • Donated on Nov 14, 2013
Amount Hidden
  • Susan Ju
  • Donated on Nov 14, 2013
Amount Hidden
  • Jodi Ellis, .com buyer
  • Donated on Nov 13, 2013
  • There is no footprint too small to leave an imprint on this world. God Bless you both. May Grayson continue to shine down on you and showering you with love.

CA$50.00
  • Guest
  • Donated on Nov 13, 2013
Amount Hidden
  • Friend from Costco
  • Donated on Nov 13, 2013
  • I am so sorry for your loss. Please hold Grayson in memory and keep him in your heart. God has called an angel home and Grayson will keep watch for you two as well. Blessing and prayers during this time of deep sorrow.

CA$25.00
  • Guest
  • Donated on Nov 13, 2013
CA$20.00
  • Michelle Malette
  • Donated on Nov 12, 2013
CA$25.00
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Followers

2 followers
Riddellfamily
Goldensassydog
CA$17,631
Donated So Far
Raised offline: CA$80.00
Total: CA$17,710.50

GoGetFunding has been requested or required to stop this campaign.

Help this ongoing fundraising campaign by making a donation and spreading the word.