Here is an excerpt from Shalom Onoja’s letters from his final moments.
She later died in the early morning on Wednesday.
MY FINAL LETTER OF LOVE, GRATITUDE AND REMEMBRANCE
A Message from Dr E. Shalom
To My Beloved Mother and Father, My Grandmother, My Siblings, My Doctors, My Nurses, My School, My Friends, and Everyone Who Has Been Part of My Journey,
As I write this letter, I do so with a heart full of love, gratitude, faith, and hope.
I am only 13 years old, but my journey has taught me lessons that some people take a lifetime to learn.
I have been fighting a difficult battle against Stage 4 osteosarcoma, a cancer of the femur bone.
I have endured pain, hospital visits, treatments, and the loss of my leg through amputation. Through it all, I have continued to hold on to hope, faith, and the love of the people around me.
My journey has not been easy, but I want you all to know that my life has mattered, my story has mattered, and every act of kindness shown to me and my family has meant more than words can ever express.
TO MY DEAREST MOTHER AND FATHER
Mum and Dad, you are my first home, my comfort, and my greatest source of love.
Thank you for standing beside me through every hospital visit, every painful moment, every tear, and every uncertain day.
Thank you for fighting for me, praying for me, comforting me, and doing everything within your power to give me the best chance at life.
I know this journey has not been easy for you.
I know you have cried in silence, worried when I was in pain, and carried burdens that I may never fully understand.
Please know that I love you more than words can explain.
If the day comes when God calls me home to my Heavenly Father, please do not blame yourselves or wonder whether you could have done more.
You have loved me, you have tried for me, and you have given me something priceless: the knowledge that I was deeply loved.
Carry my memories in your hearts. Remember my smile, my laughter, my little ways, and the moments we shared.
Mum and Dad, wherever my story leads, I will always be your child, and you will always be my parents.
Thank you for loving me. I love you beyond words.
TO MY BELOVED GRANDMOTHER
Gogo, thank you for your love, your prayers, your kindness, and the warmth you have given me.
Thank you for being part of my life and for surrounding me with the love that only a grandmother can give.
Please keep my memory alive through the stories you tell and the love you continue to share with our family.
I hope that whenever you remember me, you will remember a child who was loved, who tried to be brave, and who brought something special into your life.
I love you, Gogo, with all my heart.
TO MY DEAR BROTHERS AND SISTERS
My beloved siblings, please take care of one another and continue to love each other.
Life will not always be easy, but never allow disagreements, anger, or misunderstandings to destroy the bond you share.
Stand together. Help one another. Forgive one another. Celebrate each other’s achievements, and be there for one another during difficult times.
Please do not remember me only through my illness or my suffering. Remember me as your sister, your friend, and the little girl who was part of your lives.
When you miss me, speak about me. Laugh about our memories. Keep our family united.
Let love be stronger than sadness, and let peace always live among you.
I love you all so much.
TO MY DEAR DOCTORS
To Dr L. Hlatswayo, Dr Dondo, Dr Nomsa Tsikai, Dr Pauchoury in India, and Dr Vikas of Manipal Hospital in India:
I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for the care, dedication, medical attention, and compassion you have given me throughout my journey.
Thank you for doing your best to help me. Thank you for the time you spent caring for me, for the treatments you offered, and for the efforts you made to give me hope.
I know that caring for a child with a serious illness is not easy. Behind every doctor’s work is a human heart that hopes to see a patient recover.
Thank you for being part of my story and for walking alongside me and my family through this difficult journey.
May God bless your hands, strengthen your hearts, and continue to guide you as you care for other children and families facing difficult battles.
Please remember me not only as a patient, but as a young girl who had dreams, who was surrounded by love, and whose life touched the people she met.
Thank you for everything you have done for me. You will always have a special place in my heart.
TO ALL THE NURSES AT A4 SPECIAL WARD, PARIRENYATWA HOSPITAL
To every nurse who cared for me, comforted me, encouraged me, and helped me through difficult moments:
Thank you.
Thank you for your gentle hands, your patience, your kindness, and the compassion you showed me when I needed it most.
Sometimes, a kind word, a gentle touch, or a comforting smile can make a painful day easier. Thank you for the little things you did that may have seemed ordinary to you but meant so much to me.
Thank you for caring for me when I was weak, for helping me through difficult days, and for treating me with kindness and dignity.
May God bless every one of you and give you strength as you continue caring for other patients.I will always be grateful for the love you showed me.
TO KIDZACAN
To the KidzCan family, thank you for standing with me and my family during this difficult chapter of our lives.
Thank you for the support, compassion, encouragement, and hope you have brought into our journey.
Your kindness has reminded us that we are not alone and that there are people in this world who are willing to stand beside families facing childhood cancer.
May God continue to bless your work and give you the strength to support many more children and their families.
Thank you for being part of my story.
