Three-year-old Mavrik Turnbull lives and breathes hockey.
About 16 months ago, the young Prince George native was diagnosed with stage 4 high-risk neuroblastoma.
From then on, Mavrik’s life consisted of travelling to Vancouver for treatment, where he endured nine rounds of chemo, 12 rounds of radiation, stem cell transplants, immunotherapy, and two major surgeries and relapses.
“The original tumour took up about 90 per cent of his abdomen,” said Derek Turnbull, Mavrik’s father.
But hockey never left his side.
“Since about a year old, as soon as he could hold something, he was holding a hockey stick,” Derek said.
“Basically, since he was born, we watch about three games a day.”
Mavrik’s story reached hockey communities far and wide.
“Local teams like our Spruce Kings, our Cougars, all the way up to NHL players and players overseas…everybody is just incredibly supportive of him,” his dad said.
As the tumour has grown and become resistant to treatments, Mavrik’s family moved into Canuck Place Children’s Hospice, where they will focus on palliative care.
Here is where Mavrik received visits from some well-known hockey figures.
“He slept through when Connor Bedard was here and Fraser and his other friends, but when he was awake, we showed him the pictures,” Derek said.
“He was laughing, and he’s like, ‘Why was I sleeping?’ He was really excited.”
The goal now for his family and medical staff is to keep Mavrik comfortable as he fights on.
“Having a child with a serious illness diagnosis is one of the most difficult things parents and families can face,” said Denise Praill, CEO of the hospice.
“Having the expertise here at Canuck Place, having our support to clinicians, we can help ease that journey.”
Derek says he is grateful for the support they are receiving.
“I don’t have words for how incredible it is just to see the reach that he’s got,” he said.
“Obviously, we’re not going to get a recovery out of this, but the fact that people are coming together shows there’s still some good left.”