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Savannah was always smiling, said her mom by Abigail Cukier Special to the Beaver 9 | Thursday, February 26, 2015 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com Although many in the Oakville community came to know Savannah Herbert through her battle with cancer, her mom wants people to remember her as an amazing little girl who never stopped smiling. Savannah died Feb. 4. She was five years old. In September 2012, the Oakville Beaver told how the then three-year-old girl, who loved Dora the Explorer, singing and dancing, had been diagnosed with neuroblastoma, an aggressive and malignant tumour that develops from nerve tissue. This abdominal tumour compressed nearly all of Savannah's internal organs, including her lungs, making it difficult for her to breathe and necessitating her hospitalization. Initially, Savannah did not respond to chemotherapy and was put on life support for six weeks. Eventually, the tumour began responding to treatment and shrank to the point that Savannah had surgery to remove it. She was still not cancer free and continued with radiation and chemotherapy at McMaster Children's Hospital in Hamilton. Savannah's mom, Brandy, said her daughter had been doing well before having to be hospitalized for two months due to antiNMDA receptor encephalitis. This occurs when antibodies produced by the body's own At left, Oakville's Savannah Herbert, 5, died Feb. 4 after a battle with cancer. At right, Savannah and her mom Brandy Herbert, who, together, travelled a journey with cancer. | Oakville Beaver file photos immune system attack receptors in the brain. "She reverted back to a baby. She could not speak or eat and her body would contort," said Brandy. Eventually, Savannah recovered and was walking and talking again. But when a lump appeared on the side of her neck, it was found to be neuroblastoma. "She was doing so well, I did not think it would be cancer," Brandy said. "It grew around her trachea and cut off her airway. They were trying to do whatever would work for Savannah, but the cancer proved to be resistant to everything." see Amazing on p.10 THE GYM Convenient, clean, and friendly. NAUTILUS We're Oakville's best kept secret! Est. 1982 High quality weight training and Nautilus cardio equipment. Experienced and mature personal trainers. Carpeted, air conditioned with ample natural light from large windows. Free indoor parking. A fusion of JApAnese & Chinese Cuisine in the heArt of oAkville! Trial Offer: 3 FREE workouts with a trainer! 11 Lakeshore Road West, Oakville, ON www.thegymnautilus.com www.edwardjones.com something neW coming soon to august 8 905-844-1610 Investments you need and service you deserve Marc Nutford - Financial Advisor 2387 Trafalgar Road, Oakville, ON L6H 6K7, 905-844-4043 marc.nutford@edwardjones.com · www.edwardjones.com Member ­ Canadian Investor Protection Fund Dine in for All You cAn eAt lunCh or Dinner www.August8.cA 7 DAYs A week 4 Locations to serve you better! oAkville 280 north service road W. @ Dorval 905-338-6228 BurlinGton 834 Brant Street We Do tAkeout! hAMilton 1 Wilson Street stoneY Creek 835 Paramount Drive 10% off Dinner only. Cash only & with this ad.