Connecticut (To the Moon and Back-Kiera)

"It is often said that hummingbirds have a way of joyfully floating through the air outside of time. In Native American cultures, hummingbirds have long been portrayed as healers and light bringers. Hummingbirds have a way of opening our hearts and eyes to the wonders of the world. The hummingbird's delicate grace reminds us that life is rich, beauty is everywhere, every personal connection has meaning and that laughter is life's sweetest creation. The hummingbird is about enjoyment of life, and lightness of being. Symbolizes adaptability and resilience,  the quality of being present, independence, playfulness and joy in our every day lives."

Kiera was like a hummingbird, she was a light bringer, showed amazing resilience and adaptability. She was a fiery brave girl from her very early start to her winning her battle with DIPG. She flitted into her family and friends' lives and filled it with laughter and love. She was sassy, but oh so sweet. She loved the outdoors, especially the moon. She loved animals, (especially her kitties, Baby and Luna, and going to Mystic Aquarium to see Juno the Whale - he was her absolute favorite; after she got sick, he even painted a picture for her. She also loved going to the zoo or watching videos of kookaburras),football with daddy, playing Yahtzee, baking, gardening, swimming...she loved a little of everything. 

She loved Disney movies, like The Nightmare Before Christmas and Frozen. She also loved Spiderman, The Hulk, and Star Wars, especially Baby Yoda. Her absolute favorite movie was Abominable, which strangely enough dealt with grief and loss. She reminds her parents of Merida from the movie, Brave, she even had red curly hair and blue eyes. She had such love, joy, and bravery up until the very end.

 
She was diagnosed just before Christmas of 2020, it was at first thought that she had Cerebral Palsy due to weakness on her left side (her parents wished that was the case), until she started complaing of headaches. She went through radiation, that shrunk her tumor. Kiera did amazing despite everything she went through. She hated doctors and was scared, but either her dad or mom was always there, talking her through it and providing comfort. When Kiera was finally able to go home after her diagnosis, she was sitting on her mom’s lap talking from A to Z about everything and in between kept telling her mom that she needed to take her medicine to help her feel better. She would pretend to give her mom medicine and tell her that it would help her feel better and that it wasn't too bad. She was so astute and was playing through the things she had recently endured. She couldn't walk after her diagnosis, the steroids made her cranky, but she was the bravest and strongest little girl.

 
They got to go Disney, where she could be totally care free and happy. They wish they could live in that bubble of time. She and her family went to Magic Kingdom on their last day and got to see the Princess Parade. Kiera was so happy to see them, and Princess Merida actually blew her a kiss. It made everyone's day. Honestly, that trip meant the absolute world to Kiera and her family. She got to see animals, buy things, and see characters that she loved. She played in the pool and for once felt safe to stand up. She loved seeing her uncle’s lightsaber that they got at Hollywood Studios. She was so happy she didn't have to see a doctor the whole trip.

They were getting ready to start a trial, when an MRI showed progression. They lost their little girl when she won her fight on May 18th, 2021... a little less than a month after her 4th birthday, roughly 5 months after diagnosis. She is truly a hero in their eyes.

"Funding for pediatric brain cancer research is vital. It is the key to finding a cure and keeping other children from experiencing the harsh reality of DIPG the way Kiera did. We hope we can all take her memory of being fiery, joyful and resilient to inspire us to live a life savoring each moment. We love you to the Moon and Back Kiera." The Galipeau Family (Craig, Kayleigh, & Liam)

 The Cure Starts Now (501c3 Federal Non-Profit) is one of the only cancer foundations dedicated to a “homerun” cure for all cancers, starting first with one of the most deadly and difficult cancers: pediatric brain cancer. Many experts believe that the lessons we learn from fighting pediatric cancer may in fact provide us the critical first step in winning the battle against all forms of cancer, both pediatric and adult.