Fundraising in her brother’s honour

Local woman supports search to find cure for childhood leukemia

Richmond Hill resident Jalal Rafinejad was always getting noticed, says his sister Golbahar. He was a kind, fun, talkative 16-year-old. When he was diagnosed with leukemia as a Grade 11 student at Langstaff Secondary School in December of 2007, that didn’t change.

“It showed the kind of spirit that he has, and I really admired that in him,” she says. Jalal endured five rounds of chemotherapy over a six-month hospital stay. Afterward, showing no signs of cancer, he entered remission and was able to return home. Jalal was back for two months before he started to feel sick again.

A week later, his lung collapsed, and after spending a month in the intensive care unit, he passed away on Oct. 11, 2008. Jalal was 17 years old.

In honour of her brother’s memory, Golbahar Rafinejad, 22, hosted a fundraiser on April 10, the day Jalal would have turned 19. All the money that was raised went to SickKids in support of finding a cure for childhood leukemia. This was Golbahar’s second fundraiser, organized with the help of family and friends.

With 300 guests in attendance, last month’s event brought in $20,000, matching the $20,000 raised at their first event. She feels as though any contribution that can be made, however small, counts.

“I hope that everything we’re doing will make a difference one day, and we’ll actually prevent others from going through what we have,” she says. Only four years older than Jalal, Golbahar says she had a close relationship with her brother. “He was always happy and smiling,” she recalls.

He was a source of strength for the family as they struggled through the ordeal. Golbahar says that’s the type of person her brother was, and she hopes to carry on in this spirit in his honour. “I think he would be really proud, and he would be happy that we’re helping others and trying to find a cure for the disease,” she says.

“I think the kids that have to go through this, my brother, they’re the real heroes. They’re the ones who inspire everyone else.”

For anyone who wishes to contribute or help, please contact Golbahar Rafinejad at golbahar87@gmail.com.

Article exclusive to STREETS OF TORONTO