Letters to CKF

"Dear Kim, Sharla & Chris Knox Foundation,   I have been thinking a lot about you guys lately and Kaila's last week at home.  I can remember every detail of that week.  She was so happy to be home from Calgary.  Our family had been there for 10 weeks for Kaila's stem cell transplant.  Just before we left Calgary, Kaila got the invitation to attend her second Grey Cup with the Chris Knox Foundation.  She was so happy to be able to go out and be a normal teenager again.  She had planned on taking her boyfriend, Matthew because on Nov 30th was to be their first year anniversary.  Matthew could not get off from work.  Kaila then decided to take her bestie, Charnelle as she went with her the last year and it would be perfect for a girl's week end.  Charnelle has a university final exam and could not go.  Kaila did not know if she should go.  She then asked me to go with her and I said yes if she really wanted to go.  She said yes but she was tired and I would be there to look after her properly.  We made arrangements to head to the Grey Cup.  Friday morning she was so tired and cried so hard.  She just kept saying, "I don't know what to do."  I told her we could stay home if she was too tired or not feeling well enough to go.  She just cried and said, "I don;t know what to do."  All of a sudden she stopped crying and said, "Ok mom, lets go to the Grey Cup!"  and off we went.  We were on the bus driving through Lloydminster and Kaila  was looking at all the alberta plates.  She turned to me with a smile on her face and said, "You know mom, its strange but I am so happy to be going back to Alberta.  I wish it was Calgary cause I don"t really like Edmonton but I am so happy to be back in Alberta."  She was such a happy positive girl and did everything without a single complaint.  But mom knew she was tired and only did what she wanted.  She was so disappointed that the Riders lost again but remained hopeful that they would take it next year.  Kaila weighed 96 lb. and had no hair but that did not stop her from prancing around in her string bikini, sitting in the hot tub and eating pizza till 11:30p.m. Sunday November 28th, 2010.  She laughed and visited with everyone.  She truly was a beautiful and special soul who touched everyone she met. Kaila was called home to Heaven at 4:20 a.m. Monday November 29th, 2010.  We all believed Kaila was cancer free, especially Kaila.  In the end Kaila is still a beautiful and special soul, who is cancer free.   As you guys are gearing up for another Grey Cup, I can not believe how fast time flies.I think Kaila would want everyone to know that she had the best last days with the Chris Knox foundation.  You all have provided her and our family with the most precious moments and memories.  Kaila battled for 16 months but your foundation gave us precious family time without having to think about cancer 24/7.  Our family is so thankful and grateful for the Chris Knox Foundation.  The relief and memories you provide to kids with cancer and their families is priceless. I know that if we had to repeat last year and Kaila's last days we would do it all again and spend them with you all.  The love and support that our family received was more than we ever expected.  The other moms on the trip helped support me and seeing what happened was their worst nightmare but they put their fears aside to be there for Kaila and I.  We can never repay for what Chris's foundation has given us but we would like to provide gift bags to the kids who are going the the Grey Cup this year.  A little thank you from our family as well as to let people know that even though we lost our precious Kaila, we want to be there to show love and support for the kids with cancer and their parents because we experienced all.  So, thank you Kim, Sharla and Chris Knox foundation for the time, love, support and precious memories you provide to families of kids with cancer.   A note to families of kids with cancer;  Kaila always said, "Mom, I'm going to be fine. I don't live with cancer, cancer lives with me and its going to be my way!"   Always Believing in a Cure,   Mark, Joanne, Leigha & Cameron Berg  "