Sydney Wood was just 11 years old when a brain tumour suddenly and tragically ended her life in 2012. Her parents have turned their grief into a mission to help others.
Susan and Greg Wood carry the perpetual pain of losing their daughter every day.
The day before Sydney Wood died, she was playing in a soccer tournament in Virginia when a recurring headache sent her to the hospital. Her father says what happened next was a blur.
Doctors discovered a brain tumour, and 24 hours later, Sydney slipped away.
Her soccer coach planted this tree in the park across from her family’s home in her memory.
10 years ago, Sydney’s parents started the Purple Butterfly Of Hope Foundation in her honour. They’ve raised nearly $400,000 for a variety of community causes, including athletic achievement projects that benefit children who share Sydney’s love for sport.
Tomorrow, the foundation is hosting a Video Dance Party Fundraiser.
Greg Wood said, “It is very bittersweet for us, but tomorrow we’ll have hundreds of people gathered in a room. We’ll have a DJ, we’ll have a photo booth set up.”
There are over 55 raffle prizes to be won, including a signed and framed Connor McDavid jersey and a guitar autographed by Tom Cochrane.
