Canadian Music Stars and World-Wide Cheerleading Community Come Together To Wish Calgary Girl With Brain Tumor Good Luck At Her “Dream Come True” Cheerleading Competition
Natasha Rose Gould, a 12-year-old girl from Calgary was diagnosed with Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Gliomas (DIPG) a highly aggressive and difficult to treat brain tumor found at the base of the brain, mostly in children. The same day of the diagnosis, Natasha was scheduled to try out for a youth cheerleading position with the Calgary Stars Gymnastics and Cheerleading Club. Given the sad news, Natasha learned she was unable to fulfill her passion and tryout for the team. This wasn’t an acceptable answer for Jodi Poirier, the club owner and coach, who believes that everyone needs to have a chance to reach their dreams. Not only did Poirier and the Calgary Stars make her an honorary member of the team for the season, they also coordinated with the Stampede City Showdown Competition to allow Natasha and her “Dream Come True” team to perform as part of the competition, plus had a special “Good Luck” compilation video prepared.
To help wish Natasha and her team the best of luck, Canadian celebrities and fellow cheerleaders from around the world submitted videos to say good luck at their performance on Saturday March 12th at the Stampede City Showdown Competition at Mount Royal University (MRU).
Canadian country artists Tim Hicks, Paul Brandt, Jess Moskalule, and Bobby Wills sent their prayers and wishes to Natasha; along with pop artists Jocelyn Alice and Hedley; and even Calgary Mayor, Naheed Nenshi. Cheerleaders and entire cheerleading teams from around the globe also submitted well-wish videos. Watch the full video below.
“The reaction from the crowd was of pure pride of our cheer community and how every one came together for Natasha as well as admiration for Natasha’s bravery & amazing attitude. Nothing was bringing her down from that moment,” says Poirier.
“The energy was unbelievable. Natasha was grinning from ear to ear,” said Natasha’s Mother, Saskia. “It was really nice that all those people sent prayers for Natasha.”
“Today is special for me because I have an inoperable brain tumour and without STARS I wouldn’t be able to be on a competitive cheer team,” explained Natasha prior to her team’s performance.
“I feel pretty happy,” shares Natasha. “I know there are people out there supporting me and helping me make my dreams come true. I want to be an inspiration for kids with and without cancer; no matter who you are or what is going on in your life, you can make the best of it!”
Read more: Calgary girl fighting cancer gets dream chance to be cheerleader via Calgary Sun
View footage of the competition: Young girl with inoperable brain tumour cheers in the face of adversity via CTV Calgary
It is the goal of Natasha and her parents to raise awareness for this unfortunate cancer.
“Too little funding is available to find a cure for kids with cancer and this needs to change,” says Natasha’s Mom, Saskia Van Breevoot. In support of Natasha’s mission to help fight cancer and to raise awareness about this difficult disease, Natasha and her family created a blog located at www.prayfornatasha.ca Anyone interested in knowing more can also go to https://ccbcf.org/our-mission/.
