Canada shows its support and love for 3 year old Prince George boy battling cancer

The news marked a turning point in Mavrik’s fight. After nearly two years of enduring treatments, hospital visits, and the emotional toll of a life-threatening illness, the family was told that curative treatments were no longer an option. Instead, care would shift toward comfort. It was a moment no parent is ever prepared for.

“It seems like his battles… his battle’s almost over,” Derek said. “This one, he didn’t quite get to win.”

Soon after, Mavrik was moved to Canuck Place Children’s Hospice in Vancouver—a facility dedicated to providing compassionate pediatric palliative care. While the move signaled a heartbreaking reality, it also became a place filled with moments of love, connection, and community support.

In the days following his arrival at hospice, something extraordinary began to happen. Word of Mavrik’s story spread far beyond Prince George and Vancouver, capturing the hearts of people across the province and beyond. Messages, visits, and gestures of kindness began pouring in—many from the world of hockey, a sport deeply ingrained in Canadian culture and close to many families’ hearts.

Several NHL players took time to visit or send messages to lift Mavrik’s spirits. Among those who reached out were rising stars Connor Bedard, Fraser Minten, and Macklin Celebrini. Jansen Harkins, a former Prince George Cougar, also stopped by to visit. Joshua Ravensbergen, also connected to the Cougars, was another familiar face who came to support the young boy. Adding to the excitement, Fin—the Vancouver Canucks’ mascot—also stopped by.

In addition to in-person visits, Mavrik received heartfelt messages from the team behind Hockey Night in Canada, bringing encouragement from one of the country’s most iconic broadcasts with Elliotte Friedman, Kevin Bieksa, Ron MacLean and Jennifer Botterill sharing their support, sending love and positivity directly to Mavrik and his family.

The outpouring of support has been nothing short of overwhelming for the Turnbull family. Derek says the kindness they have experienced has gone far beyond anything they could have imagined.

“As for support from the community—from Vancouver and Prince George, the province, and what really seems like the world now—it’s been nothing short of amazing,” Derek said. “I’ve never seen anything like this.”

That support has extended beyond visits and messages. A GoFundMe campaign launched to help the family has raised more than $65,000, easing some of the financial burden during this incredibly difficult time. For the Turnbulls, the donations have provided something far more meaningful than monetary relief—they have allowed the family to stay together.

“The money that’s been coming in has been able to keep our family together down here longer,” Derek explained, “to just try and enjoy the moments that we can last with him.”

In the face of unimaginable grief, those moments have become everything.

Mavrik’s story is one of courage, resilience, and unconditional love. Though he is only three years old, his impact has reached countless people who have followed his journey or been moved by the strength of his family. His fight, while nearing its end, has sparked a powerful reminder of the importance of community, compassion, and cherishing every moment.

In hospital rooms and hospice halls, amid uncertainty and heartbreak, there have also been smiles, laughter, and unforgettable memories. From meeting hockey heroes to hearing words of encouragement from across the country, Mavrik has been surrounded by a wave of love.

His story demonstrates how even in the darkest of times, light can break through in remarkable ways.

As the Turnbull family continues to spend precious time with their son, they are doing so with the support of an entire community behind them—friends, strangers, athletes, and supporters alike. It is a testament not only to Mavrik’s strength but also to the compassion that exists in people when they come together.

For those who wish to help, the family’s GoFundMe remains an important way to offer support. Contributions allow them to remain by Mavrik’s side, focusing on what matters most: being together.

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Email: Adam.Berls@pattisonmedia.com

by Adam Berls

Canada shows its support and love for 3 year old Prince George boy battling cancer

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