A Montreal family continues to uphold the legacy of Brianna by organizing the annual Brianna’s Fight the Fight Toy Drive. The initiative was born out of Brianna Sciascia’s own battles with childhood illnesses that no child should have to endure.
At the tender age of seven, Brianna began experiencing severe headaches that led to the discovery of a brain tumor. Following a grueling 17-hour surgery, she underwent six rounds of chemotherapy and 30 days of radiation in Boston, where her family temporarily relocated. The treatments left Brianna with a significant loss of vision.
Just as she completed her therapy, Brianna was dealt another blow with a diagnosis of treatment-induced acute myeloid leukemia. This necessitated further chemotherapy and a life-saving bone marrow transplant from her eldest sister. During her recovery, Brianna spent months in isolation, facing each day with resilience.
Despite the immense challenges, Brianna is now in complete remission and attends a high school where she is mastering Braille literacy. Known for her love of caring for younger children, drawing, and being a beacon of positivity, Brianna continues to inspire those around her.
The concept of Brianna’s Fight the Fight Toy Drive emerged during Brianna’s hospital stays, where she witnessed the struggles of young patients isolated from normal childhood joys. Alongside her peers, she longed for playdates, relief, and companionship amidst the medical routines.
The Child Life team at the Montreal Children’s Hospital played a crucial role in Brianna’s journey, providing toys and emotional support that made a world of difference for her and other young patients. These acts of kindness left a lasting impact on Brianna, prompting her to ensure that the hospital would never run out of toys.
Since 2019, the Sciascia family has organized the toy drive annually in October and November, coinciding with the months of Brianna’s cancer diagnoses. Through this initiative, they aim to transform a time of hardship into a season of giving and joy, replacing negativity with positivity.
While Brianna continues to navigate challenges related to her vision loss, her unwavering spirit shines through. She remains dedicated to supporting younger children facing medical battles, drawing strength from her own experiences of isolation and uncertainty.
