Students Transformed This Girl’s Coffin Into a Yearbook for a Heartwarming Tribute

A high school senior who passed away before her graduation received a heartwarming tribute from her fellow classmates during her funeral.

Laura Hillier, an 18-year-old from Burlington, Canada, had been battling acute myeloid leukemia for several years when she passed away on January 20. Because of her illness, Hillier was unable to graduate from high school or receive a yearbook.

To honor Hillier, her classmates joined together to transform her coffin into her own yearbook. They wrote on it, filling it hundreds of messages full of love and support.

According to CTV News, Hillier had been waiting for treatment for several years. She had been placed on the waiting list to receive a steam cell transplant and received good news in July when she learned that multiple donors were available. However, a hospital bed shortage placed Hillier on yet another waiting list, even though she already had a donor match. The operation was then pushed back until August.

The Hillier family searched for another hospital, yet were faced with more waitlists. According to Frances Hillier, Laura’s mother, treatment in the United States would have cost $250,000.

“It’s really hard to imagine finding those funds,” she told CTV News.

In August, Laura finally received the operation, however her cancer returned in November. She ended up in an intensive care unit and was released into the regular ward during the beginning of January, leaving the Hillier family hopeful for the future.

This is me after my reinduction chemotherapy! Hard to loose the hair. pic.twitter.com/wZ1BIpITYe

— Laura Hillier (@i_AMLaura97) July 14, 2015

Laura was supposed to travel to City of Hope, a hospital in California, to receive more treatment mid-January. However, due to medical complications the day before, she was unable to go. Laura passed away later that week.

After Laura passed away, a classmate posted a touching tribute on Imgur hoping to gain attention about the transplant process and try to urge others to become organ donors.

Donations in Laura’s name can be made to Coast to Coast, a charity dedicated to fighting childhood cancer.