Onyx Broly Browns Story

Onyx Broly Brown was born January 28th 2021 during Covid, a beacon of hope in uncertain times. He was brought into the world at 5:08 PM by his mother Lachelle at Terrace B.C Mills Memorial Hospital. Onyx was a remarkably healthy baby boy, weighing in at 8LBS 15OZs. His exceptional development was a testament to his strength, being 80% bigger than most babies his age. He achieved the impressive milestone of crawling at just 6 months old. Onyx took his first steps at 1 year of age and demonstrated remarkably advanced speech for his age.Onyx’s birth brought happiness to his family, including two older brothers, Kovu and Draco, and later, a younger brother, Ozzy, born in 2023. As a baby, Onyx brought immense joy to those around him. Our lives were turned upside down on October 29th, 2024, when Onyx was diagnosed with Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG), a rare and incurable brain tumor. DIPG is the most fatal of over 120 recognized brain cancer types. Prior to the diagnosis, we visited the hospital multiple times, concerned about Onyx’s balance and eye issues, but were initially misdiagnosed with an eye infection and turned away. On our second attempt of entering the ER we noticed Onyx was off balance so we brought him in again and we’re told he had an ear infection and to go pick up ear drops at our local pharmacy which was a turning point in his journey towards healing.

On our third attempt, bringing him back into the hospital we were told he is prone to eye infections and ear infections and they tried to rush us out the doors but we stood firm and advocated for his well-being. As loving concerned parents we refused to leave and told them that we demand that Onyx receives proper treatment and scans like we asked for and that we were not gonna leave until it was done properly and thoroughly, inspired by our love for him.A pediatrician was brought in and they ran a CT scan like we demanded as well as an MRI to his brain to take a better look into what was the issue. We waited and waited in the emergency room with our son in so much pain and our local doctor came back after his results were in and told us that he was very sorry that nobody listened to us and that Onyx has a very aggressive tumor growing and needs to be medivaced to the BC Childrens Hospital immediately. Onyx's father got in the first available flight to Vancouver and Lachelle went with Onyx on the medivac plane.

Upon arrival at the BC Childrens Hospital, we were pulled aside by medical professionals and told that Onyx's tumor had grown so large and aggressive and that he has 2-3 weeks of life left, but we remained optimistic and focused on the time we had left with our brave son.The news was crushing, leaving our hearts shattered into a million pieces. Onyx was promptly admitted to the 8th floor Oncology Ward at BC Children's Hospital (T8). We had extensive consultations with seasoned doctors, who advised us that palliative radiation was the only treatment option for DIPG, but expressed uncertainty regarding his chances of survival beyond a few days, let alone weeks or months. I emphasized to the doctors that my son is a fierce warrior who refuses to surrender without a fight. To facilitate his treatment, Onyx underwent surgery for the insertion of a port line under his skin, enabling the efficient administration of medication and profabafol anesthesia during radiation therapy. Onyx embarked on his radiation treatment journey in Vancouver BC at BC Cancer Agency. As he received his treatment, his doctors and medical team shared with us an extraordinary opportunity for Onyx to participate in a groundbreaking medical trial. Although it was a trial with no guarantees, Onyx's courage and resilience inspired us to take the leap.

As the first child in BC to undergo this trial, Onyx's mother and I carefully weighed the decision, and I proudly gave my consent. Our hope was that this trial would bring new possibilities for Onyx's healing and comfort. The trial drug that held such promise was Selineexor. Onyx's extraordinary journey with radiation began on November 5th and concluded on December 17th. It was a trying path, but Onyx showed remarkable grit, fasting every night before his treatments. We provided Onyx with a keto diet, carefully preparing all his meals from scratch to help his body navigate the process. Every morning, Onyx would be transferred from the BC Children's Hospital to the BC Cancer Agency, where he would undergo anesthesia for his treatments. Onyx proved to be an exceptionally strong little boy, overcoming every challenge life presented, with his parents always by his side. Onyx's father would lovingly transfer him from his hospital stretcher to the radiation table and wait devotedly outside the room to pick him up and secure him back in his stretcher for transport back to his room on the 8th floor at BC Children's.Onyx was a true warrior who showed remarkable resilience in the face of this disease, which took away his mobility, but he refused to give up and went through intensive therapy at Sunny Hill rehabilitation in Vancouver, and astonishingly, he recovered his mobility repeatedly.

Onyx's courageous spirit shone brightly through a Make-A-Wish experience, where he chose to share unforgettable moments with his brothers at Fantasyland, selecting a space-themed room with space pod bunk beds as their ultimate playground. Onyx and his brothers were granted daily access to explore the thrilling rides at Galaxy Land and the largest indoor water park in Canada, located within the West Edmonton Mall, where they played in the wave pool, water slides, and the luxury of a private cabana, complete with VIP dining and entertainment at their fingertips.During the latter stages of Onyx's life, he was cared for at the Canuck Place Children's Hospice in Vancouver, where a collaborative team of medical experts, comprising doctors and nurse practitioners, provided around-the-clock monitoring to alleviate his pain and maximize his comfort within the privacy of his own room.In a remarkably short span of time, Onyx accumulated a treasure trove of memories with his family, including his brothers, parents, grandparents, aunties, and uncle, a testament to the transformative power of love.Onyx's journey came full circle as he passed away serenely in our arms at midnight on September 20th, 2025. The experience was both painful and beautiful, revealing the profound impact he had on those around him.

His father comforted him, telling Onyx that it was okay to let go, and promised to protect and care for his mother and brothers, asking only that he shine bright in the sky, a reassuring sign that he was safe and at peace. When we reached out to our family with the news of Onyx's passing, they revealed to us the magical sight of the Northern Lights illuminating the sky with vibrant colors. Onyx's unwavering spirit and unrelenting fight for life were a source of inspiration, and his ultimate sacrifice to bring us peace will forever be etched in our memories.His name and legacy will live on forever in our hearts, and I promised him that his passing would not be in vain. We will educate, advocate, and donate to ensure that other families are not alone in their fight against cancer. Mommy and Daddy love you forever,

Onyx Broly Browns Story

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