Prince George locals will gather on Saturday to honor the life of three-year-old Mavrik Turnbull at a special public event to be held at the CN Centre arena. Mavrik was diagnosed with Stage 4 neuroblastoma, a rare form of childhood cancer, just a month after his second birthday. His 21-month battle with cancer garnered attention from the hockey community across British Columbia and beyond.
According to his father, Derek Turnbull, hockey held a significant place in Mavrik’s heart, with the arena being his sanctuary where he felt most secure. Mavrik’s cancer originated in his abdomen, resulting in a large tumor. He underwent multiple rounds of chemotherapy, major surgery, radiation, immunotherapy, and numerous blood transfusions and medical procedures.
During his treatment journey, Mavrik carried his hockey sticks for comfort when he was airlifted from Prince George to Vancouver. He found solace in playing and watching hockey during challenging times. Various hockey organizations, including the Prince George Spruce Kings and Prince George Cougars, extended their support to the young superfan.
As Mavrik’s condition declined, he was transferred to the Canuck Place Children’s Hospice in Vancouver, where he was visited by professional hockey players such as Connor Bedard, Fraser Minten, Zachary Benson, Macklin Celebrini, and Jennifer Gardiner, among others.
Mavrik, known for his unwavering passion for hockey, touched the hearts of many, uniting people in support of his courageous battle. Sadly, he passed away on July 6, surrounded by his parents.
To honor his legacy, the Turnbull family has launched the Mavrik Turnbull Foundation. Their goal is to bring pediatric cancer treatments to Prince George in the long term and provide financial aid and resources to families traveling to Vancouver for childhood cancer treatments in the short term. The foundation will also sponsor a child annually who has overcome cancer treatments or medical challenges, covering their hockey equipment and fees.
A celebration of Mavrik’s life is scheduled to be held at the 6,000-seat CN Centre, followed by a public memorial skate in his memory. The Prince George Community Foundation has also set up the Mavrik Turnbull Legacy Fund to assist families in northern British Columbia dealing with childhood cancer.
