Condolences are pouring in online for a Victoria family that dedicated their last year to making memories with the baby of the family.
Four-year-old Bishop Kemp – nicknamed Bash or Bashy by those who love him – died in the arms of his dad Robert Kemp on Aug. 14. The family shared the heartbreaking update publicly on Aug. 18.
In July 2021, then two-year-old Bash began a battle with cancer that would turn terminal. For the last year, the family focused on making memories with the youngster.
Scans this summer showed the disease had metastasized throughout his brain and spine and his health declined rapidly.
The entire family was together for his final weeks, spent in palliative care at Canuck Place in Vancouver.
“We are so lucky to have had the last two years, a decade ago we would have only had weeks with our guy post-diagnosis, yay science! But instead, we got two full years of bike riding, playdates, holidays, preschool and making memories,” an online update reads. “We are so grateful for every moment we’ve had with him. And so grateful for all our families, friends and community have done for us to give us these moments.”
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Bash leaves behind his parents Robert and Liz as well as older sisters Hazel and Edie.
What was once an online fundraiser to help the family first battle the disease, then make memories together, is now a way people can help memorialize the youngster. Find the fundraiser at gofundme.com/f/help-the-kemps-travel-to-bc-childrens-hospital.
“We are so lucky to have had him in our lives for the time we did, and we will miss him until the end of days,” the Aug. 18 update, signed by the family, reads.
“We are so grateful for the support of our community and the love that was shared. We are trying to find ways to memorialize Bash in ways fitting to him.”
Bash loved riding in the family cargo bike and excelled using the balance bike on his own as a two-year-old, the family told Black Press Media last summer.
He is the namesake behind the family business, Bishop’s Family Cycle, which opened in early 2021.
