EDMONTON – Aaron Maier, the 10-year-old Edmonton boy who fought a cancer called neuroblastoma for half of his young life, passed away on Thursday morning.
“It is with great sadness that I write this post,” his mom Teresa Skinner shared via Facebook on Thursday.
“Aaron passed peacefully in his sleep this morning at 9:15 a.m. in my arms. Thank you all so much for your love and support during these last five years. XOX”
Hundreds of Edmontonians have been posting memories and words of support on the Team Aaron Facebook page.
During his 10 years, Aaron underwent more than seven rounds of chemotherapy, as well as radiation and surgery, before the family made the difficult decision to stop treatment.
“The doctors told us his body wouldn’t recover from the chemo anymore, the disease was too advanced,” Skinner explained.
In November 2013, doctors told his family the cancer had spread to his entire body and was back for good.
“He was devastated obviously and scared. He just said ‘mommy, do you mean I’m going to die?’ And I had to say ‘yeah. Yeah buddy you are. I’m sorry,’” Skinner said, fighting tears.
Despite his diagnosis, Aaron used the time he had to give back to the organizations that helped him through his battle with cancer.
READ MORE: Edmonton boy fighting to give back to those who helped him battle cancer
In February, thousands of people came out for the annual Hair Massacure to support Team Aaron and raise funds for cancer research.
“It’s amazing,” said his mom, at the Feb. 14 event.
“The love and the support … Aaron wanted to do this for the little kids.”
“It’s such an amazing event, and the support from people and that the community will come together and do something for childhood cancer.”
READ MORE: Annual Hair Massacure draws huge crowd, support for Aaron’s Team
Team Aaron’s goal was to raise $50,000. After help from a bottle drive held at NOW! Radio, the team’s total surpassed the $102,000 mark.
Just three days prior to his death, Aaron had a wish fulfilled by the Children’s Wish Foundation.
He was given a shopping spree at the Lego store at Southgate Shopping Centre.
“When he got to make his last wish he was hemming and hawing on it for a while and he finally said ‘you know what? I’m going to get Lego. I’m going to go on a big Lego shopping spree and it will be so fun. Then, anything I can’t build I can donate back to the other kids at the hospital so that they have something to help with their time’,” Skinner recalled.
“Aaron you have been the greatest little man I have ever met,” wrote Shawna Westman, “and we are all going to miss you. Make sure to watch over your mom, sister and dad. I will always love you from the bottom of my heart. Rest In Peace.”
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