Athena Orchard was diagnosed with a very rare bone cancer last December. She passed away last Wednesday after losing the fight with the terminal disease. She fought bravely for months and underwent multiple surgeries and procedures to fight the cancer. Just a few days after Athena passed away her family found something on the back of a mirror in her bedroom that immediately brought them to tears. They found a 300 word message and could not believe what it said.
Athena Orchard died at the young age of 13 while battling a rare form of bone cancer.
Athena was diagnosed last December with a rare bone cancer that was in her head, spine and left shoulder.
This is Athena’s family sitting with the note they found on the back of the mirror in her room.
Athena wrote the note after she was diagnosed with cancer, but the mirror was always leaned up against a wall so her family never saw it until after she passed away.
In the long note Athena talks about the disease which would take her life with a positive attitude stating ‘everyday is special so make the most of it. You could get a life-ending illness tomorrow so make the most of every day… Life is only bad if you make it bad.’
Athena was able to meet some of her favorite idols during her battle including Bizzi Dixon from The Voice who wrote, “life is a game for everyone, but love is the only prize”
Athena with her family at the hospital last Christmas. They say they were surprised to see such a positive attitude from dealing with this difficult battle from their daughter.
Athena pictured here with Harry from TOWNIE was ‘such an incredible, bright and strong girl’ their family said today.
Athena, with boxer Leon Woodstock, never mentioned her writings to her family who was shocked when they found them.
Athena left behind 6 sisters and 3 brothers but left a message they could all use for the rest of their lives. She is the one with the yellow bows in the middle of the picture below with her brothers and sisters.
After Athena lost the battle to cancer her neighborhood community started to write messages all over the family’s house windows of love, admiration and support. Within a day the windows were covered with loving messages to Athena from the whole community.
Here are some excerpts from the message that Athena left behind. It was very difficult for her mother and father to make it through the message. Especially when they got to the parts where Athena talks about the disease that took her life. It is a beautiful message though and we can all take something from it.
Life is short and life is fragile. It is very important that we live each day like its our last because it just may be. Athena seems to have figured out what most spend their whole lives trying to figure out at just 13 years old. This breaks my heart but her message will live on forever with her family and friends as well as the lives she touched while she was here. Never take life for granted.