Richard Gleeson
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Apr 10/02) - Montana Moraff's struggle against cancer has ended. The five-year-old died in his Yellowknife home Saturday.

It was a sudden end after five months of chemotherapy in Edmonton.

His parents recalled the day, two weeks ago, when they out found the battle was lost.

Dennis and Lorna Moraff entered the office of the doctor who had been overseeing five months of chemotherapy and radiation treatments at the University of Alberta Hospital.

They were surprised to see the social worker who was helping them cope with the ordeal in the office.

"She had tears in her eyes, so that told us," said Dennis. He described Montana as "a fallen soldier in the battle against cancer."

The rare form of cancer, growing as a tumour in the left side of his chest, resisted the chemotherapy treatments. A CAT scan after the fifth course of chemotherapy showed the cancer had spread to the right side.

Christmas highlight

Since being medevaced to Edmonton last October, Montana was never better than he had been at Christmas.

At that time, emerging from his third course of chemotherapy, Montana was well enough to leave the hospital for the first time.

It was just in time to see his new sister, Star Therese, who was born Dec. 24. The family spent Christmas Day together at the condominium that had become their home away from home.

In addition to sympathy, the social worker also had a pamphlet from the Children's Wish Foundation. At her urging, they called the Foundation.

After verifying their situation, the Foundation quickly arranged a trip to Victoria to allow Montana a final visit to his cousins there, then a flight back to Yellowknife.

By the time he arrived in Yellowknife March 31, he was confined to a wheelchair.

Lorna said his son still took delight in going for drives around the city he hardly had time to grow up in. He turned five on Jan. 19.

New relationships

The Moraffs plan to return to the University of Alberta Hospital, a place they associate with both joy and sorrow.

Dennis and Lorna formed close bonds with others enduring the same struggles they were during their time at the hospital.

"It's like talking to your own family," said Lorna. "It helps just to talk."

During his Christmas break from the hospital, Montana also returned to visit those who were unable to leave.

Dennis and Lorna have donated Montana's body to the research wing of the hospital.

"We know his spirit is with us but his soul is travelling," Dennis said.

The family held a private memorial service for Montana on the weekend.

In December, members of the Canadian Auto Workers Local 2304 and United Steelworkers of America Local 802 raised more than $2,000 to help the family cover their costs during treatment.