Terminally ill teen who encouraged Canadians to vote has died
The 18-year-old Winnipeg teen who posted a viral video urging Canadians to vote in October has died.
Maddison Yetman was diagnosed with a terminal illness and was told she had days or weeks to live just ahead of the Canadian federal election.
On October 6, Yetman learned she had a type of cancer called sarcoma and it had spread through her body and into her blood and bone marrow.
- See also:
However, Yetman didn’t let her fate stop her from voting in the election, and just days after she received her diagnosis, she placed her first-ever vote and urged other Canadians to do the same.
After casting her ballot, Yetman used some of her precious last moments to encourage others to head to the polls on October 21.
“If I can find the time to vote, you can find the time to vote,” Yetman said from a hospital bed in a video that proceeded to go viral on Twitter.
This is my last chance to make a difference. Please share this with your network and get out and vote! #whatsyourexcuse @justinpjtrudeau @andrewjscheer @jagmeetsingh @MaximeBernier @liberalca @cpc_hq @ndp @peoplespca @CanadianGreens #cdnpoli #Elxn43 #canpoli pic.twitter.com/xxfXxuOrEf
— Maddison (@MaddiYet) October 15, 2019
Yetman’s uncle, Brent Williamson, announced his niece’s death on Twitter Sunday morning.
“Our beautiful little peanut passed away yesterday. She was stronger than anyone could imagine and left a wonderful mark on this world,” he wrote.
Our beautiful little peanut passed away yesterday. She was stronger than anyone could imagine and left a wonderful mark on this world. https://t.co/pQc0PgzSkI
— Brent Williamson (@BrentWGlobal) November 17, 2019
Yetman’s family also said their niece asked them to thank everyone who sent her messages of support and love.
As an avid climate change activist, Yetman asked that in lieu of flowers, donations could be made on her behalf to the Nature Conservancy of Canada.
With files from the Canadian Press.
Follow Channels and Categories