Mayor Greg Dionne gives a speech before presenting Elayna Greenwood (left) with the Terry Fox Award, telling her "we're very proud of you" (Alison Sandstrom/paNOW Staff)

By Alison Sandstrom

Fox's legacy lives on

Young cancer survivor honoured

Oct 23, 2019 | 1:25 PM

P.A. city council honoured a 13-year-old cancer survivor on Tuesday.

Elayna Greenwood’s family was in the audience to watch the mayor present her with the Terry Fox Award, given annually to the Prince Albert youth who best exemplifies the qualities of courage and positivity embodied by Fox.

Her mom, Kelly Greenwood said the moment was especially meaningful when she pictured her daughter seven years earlier — a tiny six-year-old, newly diagnosed, and battling an aggressive form of leukemia.

“She was so small and so sick, she had no hair,” she said speaking to paNOW after the award presentation.

“She couldn’t go to school, [she was] in the hospital. And now to look at her – she’s tall, she’s growing. She’s got tons of friends, tons of activities she’s involved in. She’s healthy, and we’re just thankful everyday,” Kelly said.

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From left, Kelly Greenwood, Elayna Greenwood, Mayor Greg Dionne, Jeff Greenwood. (Alison Sandstrom/paNOW Staff)

Elayna and her family spent two and half years in and out of hospital in Saskatoon. Her treatment included chemotherapy, numerous lumbar punctures, and medication that left her swollen, hungry, and grumpy.

She missed most of Grade 1 and 2 at Ecole Vickers school, but kept up with her studies in hospital.

“Always have hope,” Kelly said, addressing her comments to other parents of kids living with cancer.

“Always believe that if you follow everything you’re suppose to do, and you take that medicine, and you go to those doctor’s appointments, it seems like it’s going to go on forever, but it doesn’t. Things do get better. Life can be great after cancer and it’s not a death sentence anymore.”

Now four years cancer-free, Elayna just started Grade 9 and is heavily involved at the Performing Arts Warehouse, where she dances six days a week and is a class assistant.

She is active with Relay for Life, a yearly fundraiser for the Canadian Cancer Society, and also enjoys swimming, riding horses and hanging out with friends.

“I’m very honoured and thankful,” she told paNOW after receiving the award.

Elayna hopes to become a doctor in the future.

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alison.sandstrom@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @alisandstrom