When Laura Hillier was thirteen years old, she received a leukemia diagnosis. After the cancer had been in remission for four years, it returned. Laura was a talented student at Ontario, Canada’s Nelson High School. Sadly, she passed away from her illness on January 20, 2016.

Her family posted on the Hope for Laura Facebook page, saying, “You all would have been really proud of her for her valiant battle.” Until the very end, her bravery, fortitude, poise, and pure soul were evident.

Laura’s casket was beautifully decorated with bright markings by her friends, family, and instructors as a memorial to her. People all throughout the world were inspired by the story and images as they went viral.