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Davis Weisner, Calgary teen at centre of health-care controversy, dies of cancer

By Deborah Tetley, Calgary Herald March 30, 2011

CALGARY — Fifteen-year-old Davis Weisner wasn’t afraid of dying.

After battling cancer for five years — a clash punctuated by thrilling highs and excruciating lows — he was ready for anything.

But in the days leading up to his death over the weekend from neuroblastoma, Davis floored his mother when he said he was afraid of one thing, however.

“He was worried he would be forgotten,” said Janine Weisner, Davis’ mother. “He didn’t want us or anyone to forget about him.

“If only he knew how much he’ll be remembered, and has been the past few days,” she said with a sigh.

Since Davis died at the Alberta Children’s Hospital on Saturday morning, the Weisner family has been overwhelmed by support, concern, gifts and offers of help from the community, friends, family, neighbours, the hospital staff and strangers.

“He has had such an impact on so many and he never realized that,” Janine said Tuesday. “I am proud of everything about him.”

Davis was just 10 years old when he was diagnosed with cancer in 2006, which was already at Stage 4.

Although he’d been feeling sick for several months, it wasn’t until he ended up in a wheelchair during a surprise family vacation to Disneyland that his family realized the aching in his legs was more than growing pains.

Just weeks into his chemotherapy treatments, Davis and his family found themselves at the centre of a major health-care controversy when the boy was turned away from the children’s hospital due to a shortage of oncology beds.

In the ensuing days it was revealed that other children were turned away, as well, amid a sudden surge in childhood cancer cases. Beds were added to the hosital in an attempt to ease the crunch.

About a year later, after rounds of radiation, chemotherapy and two bone marrow transplants, Davis was in remission; strong, healthy and happy for about 17 months, his mother said.

Then, the cancer came back. The family was devastated.

“When you relapse with neuroblastoma there isn’t much hope,” Janine said, “but Davis never gave up; even in the last few months he showed so much courage.”

She recalled a cancer-related speaking engagement he’d committed to, but as the day approached he became self-conscious. He was quite ill, puffy from steroids and had developed a droop in his mouth that affected his speech. Organizers told him it was OK to take a pass.

“But he didn’t,” said Janine. “That was the most courage I had ever seen, He was brave, just like he was the whole time. He knew this was his fate, but he battled in so many ways.”

Last month the Grade 10 student at Lester B. Pearson High School rallied again when it was announced that he was joining 14 other teens to take part in a humanitarian project to build houses in Mexico.

No one who knew Davis was surprised, as he was often admired for his kind heart.

But as the day approached for Davis to leave, he was too sick to make the journey.

His younger sister, 13-year-old Jessie, went in his place.

He was proud of his sister, his mother said.

The family is expecting hundreds of supporters to fill the Pineridge Community Centre on Saturday, for a celebration of his life, which the teen had a hand in planning.

“He wants it to be a party, not a funeral,” said his mother, adding her son was a huge Flames fan, who counted Matt Stajan and former Flame Dion Phaneuf as among his friends.

“So, we’re wearing our Flames jerseys — maybe I will wear his — and we will have his giant Flames flag and we’re celebrating.”
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Although this is a sad story, it is also inspiring. This young man had incredible courage and touched many people. Some of the comments posted below this story were awesome:

Joe Albertan

12:50 PM on March 30, 2011

It's things like this that bring everything into perspective about what's important.
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Just My Thoughts

9:47 AM on March 30, 2011

I was not fortunate enough to know Davis, and I don't know the Weisner family. I would only hope that I would be as brave, compassionate and giving as this young man was, if I ever get sick. The Weisner's are in my thoughts, you did amazing by Davis.
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http://www.calgaryherald.com/health/Davis+
Weisner+Calgary+teen+centre+health+care+controversy
+dies+cancer/4525040/story.html

Dean
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Ch.P.C. (Chartered Professional Coach)
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