Rebecca Schofield died of brain cancer Saturday at 18 years old, but not before inspiring thousands of fellow Canadians to pay it forward with random acts of kindness. Thanks to Schofield, even Prime Minister Justin Trudeau got in on the #BeccaToldMeTo movement.
Her cancer diagnosis turned terminal in December 2016, and Schofield was told she had a year to live. She quickly established the hashtag and it went global in 2017 as a sort of ALS ice bucket challenge-like, do-good movement on social media, inspiring others to volunteer and donate to charitable causes.
“If the love of a community actually had the medical power to cure childhood cancer, we believe Becca would have lived forever… While that wasn’t possible, we believe the countless acts of kindness Becca and her family have received from a community of caring people literally around the globe has at least helped soothe all of our souls,” her family wrote on Facebook.
It’s my pleasure to recognize Rebecca Schofield for her bravery, volunteerism & inspiring commitment to community. #Beccatoldmeto pic.twitter.com/WPSlfrDKJV
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) February 16, 2017
“Kindness and positivity are a choice,” she told the National in 2017. On Twitter, moving fan tributes spread Sunday morning.
RIP Becca, such an inspiring young woman. #Beccatoldmeto #RebeccaSchofield pic.twitter.com/lQXvidT2CL
— dawnymock💙 (@dawnymock) February 18, 2018
We are deeply saddened to hear that Becca has passed. Becca fought her #braintumours while inspiring the world to perform Random Acts of Kindness. Her family have asked for some time to grieve in private, we ask that you honour their wishes, Be kind, #BeccaToldMeTo. pic.twitter.com/C7PvpJOt22
— Brain Tumour Fdn (@BrainTumourFdn) February 18, 2018
Sending love to the family of Rebecca Schofield. She inspired us to be better people, kinder people. The #beccatoldmeto campaign lives in her beautiful spirit. Here is her last interview with @CTVNationalNews – a powerful reminder. Such a sad loss. https://t.co/6YChQQWNLi
— Lisa LaFlamme (@LisaLaFlamme_) February 18, 2018
I met a very special person last year. She passed away last night. Becca Schofield of #BeccaToldMeTo pic.twitter.com/0DeUfoGwhB
— Michael de Adder (@deAdder) February 18, 2018
H/T Ottawa Citizen