Malachi tours the province and comes home to lots of gifts

The first time we heard of Malachi Ray was via a link to the Dalhousie Medical School Magazine. The following editorial and picture are from the June 15, 2010 edition. At just 10 years old, Jordan Malachi Ray has become an inspiration to anyone who hears his story. Last year, Malachi was diagnosed with a form of bone cancer called osteosarcoma. He completed his chemotherapy and surgery in November 2009, but his cancer unfortunately returned earlier this year, needing more surgery and chemotherapy. His physicians at the IWK Heath Centre believe that his high spirits and strength to fight the disease can be attributed to his determination to one day become a doctor himself. We’ve all been overwhelmed by his courage, his determination and his strength in fighting this illness so that he can fulfill his dream of attending medical school and becoming a doctor.

In January 2011, Malachi’s mother, Jocelyn, was still busy unpacking having just moved from New Maryland into a new apartment in Fredericton. Malachi showed amazing maturity beyond his tender years – having recently turned 11 – describing his various treatments and surgeries. With his brother Nathan at his side they chatted about their hobbies and interests. Nathan is a keen student of “Parkour” which can only be described as street running with a bunch of dangerous stunts thrown in.

A few weeks later & Malachi continues to impress us all with his resilience and wisdom. His leg is still painful even though he has been given stronger meds and he struggles to get comfortable. This time he is playing a small handheld game as mom begins work on the cake she promised to bake. Malachi describes how he used to enjoy camping, hiking and swimming. The setback with his leg has now changed the plans that were underway for Malachi & his family to take a welcome vacation south of the border – somewhere warm, but spring break in March is still the time of choice.

The Kennebacasis Room at the Hilton Hotel in Saint John proved to be the perfect setting on a warm winter afternoon as volunteers and friends with W4W gathered to present Malachi Ray with his well deserved wish. The new plans will see the family stay at three different hotels; the Hilton in Saint John, then onto the King suite in the new Marriott Hotel in Moncton for five nights and finally the Crystal Palace hotel for a further three nights. Gift cards for all their food, gas, museum visit, coffees and his favourite pizza place were presented to the family. Malachi was also informed that when he returned to his home in Fredericton that a new 32″ LCD TV would be waiting for him as well as a new hide-a-bed sofa with all new pillows, sheets and blankets.

Brother Nathan was given gift cards to toysrus, e-b games and a new set of wireless headphones. Malachi was also presented with the same gift package and a radio controlled helicopter to play with when the warmer weather returns. Finally the family was also presented with spending money so they could take care of any extras that they choose to enjoy on their ten day vacation.