Della's Light: Carrying her Strength Forward

Join the Gallagher family in supporting Brain Cancer research at the USC Brain Tumour Center by making a donation in Della's honour. Della's story is told by her youngest daughter Bree.

Our Story

Three and a half years ago, I was pulled off the soccer pitch and was taken to a hospital in Edmonton. I walked into a room where my mom was recovering from a seizure. The image of my perfectly healthy and superhero mom was shattered – I’d never seen her more vulnerable. Days later, we were told my mom had a Glioblastoma.

A Glioblastoma is a very aggressive form of brain cancer. They are very difficult to treat and have a high rate of reoccurrence, meaning that if you can treat it once it often comes back in a much more difficult area. The prognosis for a glioblastoma is a grim, 12 – 18 months.

Before that moment, I had never considered the possibility of a loved one falling seriously ill. As the youngest of four in a close-knit family, I had always felt secure in the strength of our relationships. Cancer, I thought, was something that could be fought and beaten. I was naive to the complexities of healthcare, and suddenly, I found myself helping my mom prepare for the hardest fight of her life.

My mom was a force—vibrant, unique, and absolutely one of a kind. I take comfort in knowing she lived life fully and with deep love for those around her. Whether it was helping my sister navigate motherhood, passionately yelling at referees through the TV during Brendan’s games, or cherishing stories of Nolan’s acts of kindness as a firefighter, she took immense pride in her children. And we, in turn, were endlessly proud of her. She embodied resilience in everything she did, right up until her final days. A couple weeks ago, on the morning of March 7th, she earned her wings far too soon.

I am incredibly proud of her for the strength, grit, and courage she displayed over the past three and a half years. She fought like hell, and I would give anything to tell her how much I looked up to her one last time. Though she is no longer here, her bravery lives on in all of us. It is our duty to share her story and inspire others to live with that same courage that she did every single day.

When this journey began, I was playing soccer at an out of province university. I made the difficult decision to quit soccer and move closer to home so that I could be with her and the rest of my family. For someone that had competed in sports their whole life, losing that part of my identity left me feeling lost—until I found running. At first, I hated it. I was terrible at it and it felt so pointless. If you had told me then that I would go on to run a marathon, I would have laughed in your face. But here I am, years later, preparing to run my second.

On may 4th, I’ll be running the BMO marathon here in Vancouver, BC. Last year, my mom was able to come along with my family and I will never forget running past her at the finish line and seeing the smile on her face. This year, I know my angel will be with me the whole way, telling me to suck it up. The medal I receive this year will be for her.

During my mom’s fight, we were fortunate enough to take her to USC’s Keck Medical Centre, where she received world class care. The doctors there gave her the greatest gift—time. They fought tirelessly for her, ensuring she was as comfortable as possible. Their grace and intelligence amazed me and I am honored, and so pleased to support them in continuing this fight for my mom.

At the very least, I hope her story inspires others to seek more challenge and adventure. She lived her life keen to learn and conquer difficult things. Her battle with cancer was nothing short of that, yet she still managed to put a smile on her face – even in the most uncomfortable of times. Because of her, I will continue to chase those uncomfortable moments, push myself beyond my limits, and encourage those around me to do the same.

This fundraiser is a tribute to my mom and the extraordinary life she lived. Let’s make something magical happen for her and for all the warriors still fighting every single day.

Make a donation today, in support of the USC Brain Tumour Center and in Della's honour.

Love Bree, Nolan, Erin, Brendan, & Ian