Natasha Rose Gould recalls the day her cheerleader tryout last year was cut short by a terminal brain cancer diagnosis.
“I was going to audition but then my world kind of blew up in my face,” said the 12-year-old.
Since then, she has been battling the rare childhood cancer, known as diffuse intrinsic pontine gliomas, and spreading the word about the lack of resources in attacking it.
And as her grim struggle continues, the people who offered her an audition in May 2015 have decided to grant Rose Gould a dream short-circuited by a brain stem tumour.
On Saturday, she’ll join the Calgary STARS Gymnastics and Cheers team as an honorary member at a cheerleading competition at Mount Royal University.
“I’m excited — it’s kind of my dream to be a cheerleader … it’s going to be fun,” she said.
Natasha Gould, 12, plays with some baby chicks she has been caring for.
It’s just the right thing to do, said STARS owner Jodi Poirier, noting Natasha will be the team’s fly figure, sent airborne by her fellow cheerleaders.
“We’ve worked in a number in which Natasha will be the star of the show,” said Poirier.
The girl has proven to be a pillar of strength whose courage has inspired the STARS squad, she said.
“She’s pretty phenomenal — we thought we’d impact her life but she’s impacted ours,” said Poirier.
A number of musical artists, including Jann Arden, Jocelyn Alice and Tim Hicks, are appearing in a well-wishing video to be aired at the competition.
Natasha’s mom Saskia is still holding out hope for her daughter, though the odds are extremely steep.
“Typically, kids only live nine to 18 months after diagnosis and only one per cent don’t die,” said Saskia.
“But we believe in miracles and have seen some signs of healing.”
The ailment is immobilizing Natasha’s left side and affecting her eyesight.
“All her worlds were coming together with music and gymnastics, but now she can’t do cartwheels or handstands anymore,” said the mom, noting her daughter appeared on The Today Show last fall to speak of the disease.
“She feels she’s an advocate for kids with cancer.”
