Some Calgarians are stepping up to show their support for a family going through a tough time this Christmas.
Neighbours are coming together behind a brave boy in the true spirit of the season.
People in the Varsity neighbourhood are supporting 10-year-old Easton Beatch.
“In June, Easton was unfortunately diagnosed with a type of brain cancer, so he had pretty immediate brain surgeries, two within two weeks,” Easton’s mother Amanda Moppett-Beatch said. “Then he started chemotherapy, so it’s been an incredibly hard six months for our family.”
Neighbours are showing support with a variation on a community activity they’re involved in every holiday season.
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“We have a wonderful tradition, where it’s like a living window Advent calendar,” Moppett-Beatch said. “Some really beautiful windows”.
Each evening, in the days leading up to Christmas, a new window lights up to add to the collection.
And this December those displays include the message ‘Easton Be Strong’.
“I like knowing each night that there’s going to be a new window saying ‘Easton Be Strong’” Easton Beatch said.
Among the neighbours taking part is Cortney Bint, whose window display includes the words ‘Courage’, ‘Love’, ‘Faith’ and ‘Strength’.
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Bint says being part of the community effort brings a good feeling.
“It’s wonderful. Everybody’s pulling together for Easton,” Bint said “And putting a smile on this little boy’s face is just heartwarming to see.”
The support during a difficult period is definitely appreciated.
“It’s really helpful, because during chemo I can look out and there’s a window that says ‘Easton Be Strong’” Easton Beatch said. “I’m feeling pretty good, so it’s nice that they’re doing this for me.”
It appears the cancer treatments are having a positive impact.
“The MRIs look clear, so that’s about the best news we could ever have received,” Moppett-Beatch said, adding that the windows have brought “real moments of joy, so we’re really feeling like our hearts are full and it’s looking like it’ll be a great Christmas.”
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