Keian Blundell鈥檚 holiday wish was that every sick child would receive a gift at Christmas.
Even through his own suffering, in 2012, the then five-year-old began a toy drive after being diagnosed with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
That year, Keian was able to go home for the Christmas holidays and wanted the other kids who were still in hospital to feel the same joy.
With the help of a family friend, the 91原创 boy organized a toy drive. Even though he was sick himself, Keian delivered 16 toys to BC Children鈥檚 Hospital and Canuck Place Children鈥檚 Hospice.
The next year, Keian was introduced to Surrey RCMP Const. Mark Peterse who鈥檇 heard Keian had always wanted to be a police officer. On Oct. 31, 2013, Keian was made an honorary member the RCMP and was presented with a custom-made uniform in iconic red serge.
During Keian鈥檚 treatment his family used to drive by the RCMP headquarters, which always caught Keian鈥檚 attention. Keian told his parents, Chantal and Ryan, many times that he wanted to be a police officer.
鈥淭hanks to the efforts of Const. Peterse and others, Keian鈥檚 wish came true. Keian鈥檚 Holiday Wish Toy Drive is now in its fourth year, and we are absolutely thrilled that the Surrey RCMP in our hometown has joined in to support this cause,鈥� they said.
On Jan. 1, 2014, Keian died. By then, his kind and generous spirit had touched his entire community.
Peterse grew up working at the family business, Cedarbrook Bakery. He sold it to pursue his own dream of becoming a police officer and was a member of the Cops for Cancer tour, riding hundreds of kilometers to raise money for families affected by childhood cancers, just like the Blundells.
鈥淚 know Keian would鈥檝e been proud to see his wish to bring joy to children at BC Children鈥檚 Hospital and Canuck Place Children鈥檚 Hospice continue to grow. Last year, with our overwhelming support, we were able to deliver 974 toys, bringing the overall total to nearly 3,700 since the toy drive began with Keian in 2012.
鈥淲e couldn鈥檛 have done this without our extended family at the RCMP,鈥� the Blundells said.
Also to honour their son, the Blundells recently held a successful bottle drive at the 91原创 Superstore, where more than $1,200 was raised. The money will go towards helping families affected by childhood cancers.
鈥淜eian was a bright light at Canuck Place Children鈥檚 Hospice. His generous and compassionate spirit touched everyone he met and we鈥檙e so happy that his legacy of giving continues, said Margaret McNeil, Canuck Place CEO.
鈥淜eian鈥檚 gifts extend beyond the physical, they inspire us to live more generously and love more openly.
鈥淭he holidays can be a very difficult time for children living with life-threatening illnesses and the families who love them, so these acts of love and kindness really make a positive impact. Thank you to Keian鈥檚 family for continuing to support Canuck Place children and families.鈥�
鈥淜eian鈥檚 Holiday Wish Toy Drive is now an annual event,鈥� says Peterse.
鈥淭his year we are carrying on the tradition of collecting toys and cash in Keian鈥檚 memory from Surrey RCMP鈥檚 officers, municipal employees, volunteers, citizens, and anyone else who would like to make a donation. It鈥檚 because of Keian鈥檚 generous spirit and the people making donations that many sick children will be just a little bit happier this Christmas season.鈥�
Peterse and all members of the Surrey RCMP are inviting the public to come out and support Keian鈥檚 Holiday Wish Toy Drive. Between Dec. 1 and 15, the Surrey RCMP will be accepting toys and cash donations at its main detachment and five district offices.
Officers will also accept donations and try to fill police cars this Saturday, Dec. 2, from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m., at Wal-Mart, 12451 88 Ave. and Sunday Dec. 10, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m at Real Canadian Superstore, 2332 160 St.
Toys should be new, unwrapped, and appropriate for all ages up to and including 18 years old.
Kids in the Grove at West 91原创 Elementary (where Keian went to preschool) is also accepting donations until Dec. 15.
For more information on 鈥淜eian鈥檚 Holiday Wish Toy Drive鈥� visit their Facebook page or find them on Twitter.
