Jelica Durik

Gavrilo's Story

Jelica: Last July my dad passed from cancer. He and Gavrilo were so close, and after he passed Gavrilo had very low energy. I thought he was grieving, but I took him for a check up anyways. The low energy ended up being leukemia. When Gavrilo was told he had cancer his face fell, he assumed he was going to die because his only experience with cancer was his grandfather. After my dad died we were expecting a slow return to a new normal, and it was hard when that didn’t happen.
Gavrilo: I lost my hair and I had to go for checkups and get poked with needles. I had to be homeschooled; I missed playing sports, and I missed having a lot of playdates. I do like being homeschooled and getting to stay home and hang out with mom.

Jelica: When he got diagnosed, we moved to my mother’s house so that there were more people to help look after the boys. It was hard because there were times that I couldn’t be with my other son as much as I used to. Your kids have to be able to trust you especially when life gets turned upside down, so I’m so glad I got to form such good relationships with my boys before this happened.
Gavrilo: Being here at Grandma’s gives me a lot of hope, so do the doctors at Sick Kids, saying my prayers, and talking with my family.

Jelica: Having a positive outlook gives hope. Being positive is the only option at this point, we have to stay hopeful and look to the future.
Gavrilo: My grandfather inspires me. I know that he’s watching from heaven.

Jelica: I can’t say enough about the team at Sick Kids. Another organization that has helped Gavrilo so much is the Toronto Maple Leafs, who have brought so much joy to him. They do so much to make the kids’ days special.
Gavrilo: If you’re going through treatment, it’s going to be OK, have faith, have fun, and enjoy new opportunities that can come from it.

Jelica: Just to be strong, to be there, to be together, and to ask for help. Also to be honest. I’ve had a lot of people ask how much I tell Gavrilo; we are honest with each other in an age appropriate way.
Gavrilo: I loved having a team of my friends and family with my name on the t-shirt. My uncle is a graphic designer, and he made a t-shirt with me as Spiderman. The people on the team make it special.

Jelica: I think the walk itself; getting to walk with this huge group of people carrying lanterns. Also walking passed Sick Kids was moving. As we walked by, there was another family there that we kind of knew from the hospital. They couldn’t be on the walk because their child was still in the hospital, but I gave them my lantern and it was a beautiful moment because we are all in this together.
We first started asking people to join the team when Gavrilo was still in the hospital; I wanted to do something to give back. It’s for a greater cause and people WANTED to help.