Shortly before entering Grade 6, Hollie Gray died of a brain aneurysm. It was just days before her 11th birthday. On Sept. 5, 2008, 240 pink balloons were released in front of the Roseneath Centennial Public School in honor of Hollie's birthday, said Ms. Gray. Hollie died on Sept. 1, 2008.
The balloon release was the start of the Living Pink Balloon project idea, which supports SickKids Foundation and brain and behavior research. This concept is based on the idea of the living Green Ribbon created by the Trillium Foundation (gift of life organ donation), said Ms. Gray. Hollie was an organ donor and saved five lives, she said.
After Hollie's death, Ms. Gray knew that she needed to do something and wanted to give back to SickKids and raise awareness. For more information on the Living Pink Balloon project, visit the website at livingpinkballoon