‘Tricky leukemia’: that’s what Christopher Brundage called his. It was indeed tricky. It defied chemotherapy. And, despite two bone marrow transplants, it came back. But his family are determined that ‘tricky leukemia’ – in what his mom describes as “Christopher’s immortal words” – will not have the last word.
That’s why his family have created the Christopher Brundage Leukemia Endowment Fund at SickKids, and why his parents (who have two other children) are leaving what they call ‘Christopher’s share’ of their estate to SickKids in their will. It’s also why they continue to share Chris’ story, to encourage others to make a gift in their will.
Christopher had just started school. His family doctor originally put down a persistent sore throat to the new germs of junior kindergarten. Further tests at SickKids led to a more serious diagnosis: acute myeloid leukemia. Unfortunately, chemotherapy didn’t put him into remission. The next step was a bone marrow transplant, which Chris received on Valentine’s Day 2002.
Chris went home with his family. At their cottage in Haliburton, Chris was able to swim, play and just be a five year old boy. But a year later, he relapsed. Another bone marrow transplant seemed to work for a few months, but his family noted he was out of breath going up stairs – a huge red flag for a bundle of energy like Chris. Tests confirmed another relapse.
There were no further treatment options. With the support of the Palliative Care team at SickKids and Mount Sinai Hospital, his parents took Chris home. Chris’ passing was peaceful, surrounded by love. His mother’s last words to him were the ones she’d said on the day he was born. “I told him that the sun shone brighter and the sky was bluer and the world a better place because he was in it.”
Chris told his family he didn’t want anyone else to get his ‘tricky leukemia’. So they requested donations instead of flowers. That initial ask was the beginning of the Christopher Brundage Leukemia Endowment Fund at SickKids, which today stands at $1.5 million. This is a tribute to the dedication of the Brundage family and their network of friends, and an example of what encouraging gifts in your will can achieve. In this very tangible way, as Kate Brundage says, “Chris lives at SickKids.”
A gift in your will can change a child’s life forever. By including a gift to SickKids Foundation in your will, you are making a difference that will last a lifetime. To learn more about how you can leave a legacy at SickKids, visit our Gift & Estate Planning page.
Source: SickKids Foundation
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