The Canopy family is grieving the loss of one of our own. Last week, sweet Sanaa, lost her heroic battle with stage 4 neuroblastoma cancer. She was just four years old.
Sanaa’s parents fled Damascus, Syria in 2014 to escape the war and violence that was plaguing their country. They crossed the border to Jordan, where they filed with UNCHR and declared refugee status (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees). Shortly after this Mariam and Nour welcomed a healthy baby girl, Sanaa, into their lives. In 2017 they received word that they were accepted by the United States and they would start a new chapter of their lives here in California. Canopy was introduced to this family not long after their arrival by Canopy’s Harfoush family, ironically the Harfoush family and Sanaa’s family were neighbors during their time in Jordan.
Mariam was thrilled to share with us they were expecting their second child and we were smitten with the adorable toddler named Sanaa! About a month before their second baby was born, Sanaa developed some concerning health issues. After a number of tests and scans, they got the news no parent ever wants to hear, their child had cancer. Since that day in April 2018, this family has spent most of their time here in America in and out of hospitals. They gathered advice from experts at Children’s Hospital in Los Angeles and Loma Linda Medical Center. The doctors tried every form of chemotherapy they could and Sanaa had multiple surgeries to try to keep the cancer at bay.
This fall, Mariam and Nour received the devastating news that there was nothing left to do, the doctors had done everything they possibly could but the cancer was spreading. Sanaa spent the last few months at Loma Linda University Medical Center. Canopy held vigil with Sanaa and her parents. We delivered coffee, offered our shoulders to cry on and served as an advocate for the family to make sure all their wishes were being met during Sanaa’s last days. There were no words we could provide that would comfort this grieving couple, we just held them tight in silence to let them know we are here and that we would walk this journey with them. All of Sanaa’s grandparents, aunts and uncles are still in Jordan waiting placement from UNHCR. Canopy, volunteers from the community and the local mosque all came to support Sanaa in her final days. There is something heartbreaking and also beautiful of a room full of people, strangers, coming together in unity to hold up a grieving family.
On February 4, in the arms of her Mom and Baba, Sanaa passed away. Leaving behind her parents and her now two year old brother, Yosef.
Sanaa loved the movie Frozen, especially Elsa and Olaf. She loved dressing up as a princess and playing with her brother. But the thing she loved the most…birthday parties. Mariam said almost every day she would make her parents throw pretend birthday parties. Even in her final days, Sanaa’s Mom and I were playing the Arabic happy birthday song and dancing around as Sanaa waved her hands and managed to sneak out a smile. She was a shining star and loved by all who knew her in her very short time on earth.
We continue to support her family as they now search for a new normal. The road ahead will be hard but we hope they find comfort in knowing that they are not alone and that we will continue to hold them up on the difficult days.
As I meet new arrival families, I hear about the horrific journeys that have led them to the United States. I always have this underlying belief that they have been through so much already, that they will not have to endure any more tragedy. I wish so much that was the case, however, life still happens. The unthinkable can still strike our families, when they least expect it. I have realized this last month more than ever that one of Canopy’s most important roles, is to be the people our families can call upon and lean on when tragedy hits.
I leave you with a message from Sanaa’s parents:
“With satisfied hearts, our daughter Sanaa moved next to her God and we ask God to make a light in paradise and to make us patient after her.”
With gratitude,
Christy
