A special day at the Greater Vancouver Zoo in Aldergrove was more than just a meet-and-greet with animals for three-year-old Mavrik.
The visit gave Mavrik and his family a chance to spend time together, create new memories, and enjoy an outing made possible through the support of Canuck Place Children’s Hospice and zoo staff.
Mavrik has always been a kid full of energy, according to his dad, Derek Turnbull.
The toddler especially loves hockey and, more recently, dinosaurs, which was the main attraction for his visit to the zoo where there is a dinosaur exhibit.
Originally from Prince George, Mavrik and his family have been staying in the Lower Mainland while the young boy receives care for neuroblastoma.
Mavrik was diagnosed in October 2024 with the stage four form of the cancer, and has recently relapsed.
Unfortunately, the illness has progressed significantly, with the tumour affecting his spine and abdomen, and requiring intensive pain management, Turnbull told the Aldergrove Star.
“He doesn’t have a lot of time left. The tumour, from what we can tell, is degrading his body pretty good. It’s taking over. He’s not really eating anything. He’s barely taking any fluids,” Dad said. “He’s been through all the treatments. Nothing has prevailed.”
Given Mavrik’s condition, a trip to the zoo required coordinated medical and transportation assistance. Still the outing was special for the family, including aunts and uncles who came along.
“It’s huge being able to have our family there to kind of experience the high points and the good moments that we have left,” Turnbull said.
Most days, Mavrik spends the majority of his time resting in bed.
“Getting out really doesn’t happen a whole lot anymore,” he said. “He’s not really comfortable and he’s in quite a bit of pain if he sits in a car seat.”
Despite that reality, the family pushed through to make the zoo visit possible while prioritizing comfort and joy.
While zoo staff and family pointed out animals like rhinos, giraffes, and hippos, Mavrik repeatedly returned to what he came for.
“He kept saying that he wants to go to the dinosaurs and even when we got there and we were touring around,” Turnbull recalled.
Activities also included watching a cheetah near the fence, enjoying the bounce castle, riding swings, and eating chicken strips from the food stand.
Reflecting on the moments, Turnbull advised for families facing similar circumstances to, “Make the most out of every day.”
“Don’t limit yourself to what you can experience with your child because of whatever fears you have around [an illness],” he said. “There’s ways and there’s people that can help you manage whatever you’re feeling.”
People can stay updated with Mavrik and his family on the Facebook page “Mavrik’s battle with cancer.”
There is also a GoFundMe page to support the family as treatment has kept them away from their home in Prince George.
The funds support the family with costs associated with Mavrik’s care, including travel expenses, accommodations during hospital stays, groceries while living away from home, medications and supportive treatments not fully covered, additional medical expenses, therapies, and other unexpected costs that come with long-term pediatric cancer care.
“Mavrik’s legacy is going to go on, and the impact that he’s made—I just want people to hear about everything he’s done,” concluded Turnbull.