'Inspiring to us all': Family who lost kid to cancer helps parents in same position

When her son died of cancer before reaching his third birthday, one Winnipeg mother fought through the pain to help other families going through the same thing weather the storm.

The Birrell-Gruhn family is hosting afundraiser Saturday in hopes of raising enough money to help them support families dealing with childhood cancer like they did.

Brody Birrell-Gruhn was diagnosed with a rare form of childhood cancer on Christmas Eve in 2014. He was three when he died in 2015.

Despite the loss, his mother,Tori Gruhn, and her family resolved to help other children and families fighting childhood cancer.

Gruhn said after her son died, at first she didn't want to be around kids, as emotions were still raw.

"I didn't want to be anywhere near kids. I didn't want to be anywhere near the hospital," Birell-Gruhnsaid.

But when she did return to the hospital, it became an incredibly positive place.

"That's where I left a huge part of me, so I feel like going back there, that's a part of me now. I feel like I am closer to Brody when I am there. Helping the kids, I love it."

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WhenBrodywas diagnosed, Gruhnwasn't working, so the family held a fundraiser to help cover hospital parking fees and other costs.

"Food in the hospital is ridiculous. They only feed the child, so when you're there for a long stay, you're there to buy three meals a day for yourself and the father as well and the other family that stays."

The family started the TeamBrodyFoundation afterBrody died. Through the charity, they've helped six families with a child receiving cancer treatment. They pay for groceries, hospital parking or even gas in the case of families who live outside of Winnipeg, like theSchellenbergs.

'They're incredible'

"They're incredible,"CandaceSchellenbergsaid. "They mean the world to us. Having another family that had gone through similar things is absolutely priceless. We're just so grateful that they came into our lives."

Schellenberg'sdaughter,BrennaSchellenberg, is two years old and battling cancer.Brennahas come a long way in the past 10 months.

"She surpassed all of the doctors' expectations. We weren't sure in the beginning we would be leaving the hospital," Schellenberg said. "The fact that we're at home and it's her third birthday in a few weeks, and she is registered for nursery school in the fall, is a miracle."

TheBirrell-Gruhns are "the sweetest, most caring, thoughtful individuals," she said.

"To be able to do what they do for other families after what they've gone through, turn their experience into something as positive as they have, is just so inspiring to us all."

The Rock Against Childhood Cancer fundraiser takes place at the Park Theatre on Saturday. Doors open at 8 p.m. and the music starts at 9 p.m. The goal is to raise $10,000.

"I want to be able to help every kid affected by cancer in Canada," Gruhnsaid. "If I could, I would walk into the hospital and help every one of those kids."