Obituary of Ms. Alexandra Eastland

Alexandra Elizabeth Eastland, 32, left this life on the evening of Saturday July 24, 2021, in the Intensive Care Unit of Mount Sinai hospital in Toronto, Canada. We can find comfort in the fact that she is now at peace and free of pain. She left this world surrounded by her sister (Robin), mother (Lorraine), father (Tom), and fiancé (Oliver) - who were with her and ensured she knew how deeply she was loved.

Six months ago Alex was given some of the worst news a person can receive. On the eve of her 32nd birthday she was informed that she had cancer, which was later diagnosed as a rare and aggressive type of Acute Myeloid Leukaemia. Despite intimidating odds and a course of invasive and painful treatments, she faced each day and each challenge with courage, determination, and in true Alex fashion, even humour and cheer.

Alley’s delight was authentic, inclusive, and infectious. She brought an immense amount of joy, inspiration and companionship to many. We know Alley would insist that we continue to find meaning, delight and cheer in our own lives, no matter how difficult the challenges we face. We are reminding ourselves that the depth of our grief is only due to the impact she had on our hearts and souls and to the intensity with which she was loved.

Alex's generous spirit is evident in everything she did. Her work in fundraising was deeply meaningful to her and she valued her colleagues and benefactors tremendously. The knowledge that she was making a difference in the world brought Alex so much satisfaction.

While it seems unfair that someone who brought so much joy and wonder to this life should have had to bear so much pain and uncertainty, we hope and trust that there is an even better adventure awaiting her.

We sincerely thank the wonderful and inspiring troupe of family and friends who have helped with love, care, and support throughout this difficult journey. A special thanks to everyone who made donations to Alex or her treatment centers over the last several months.

There will be a Celebration of Life for Alex at a date still to be determined. The pandemic creates some logistical problems and we would like to give everyone the opportunity to say goodbye.

In lieu of flowers, if you would like to make a donation in Alex's memory we have provided a list of organizations that were important to Alley - both in terms of her treatment as well as causes she was passionate about:

Mount Sinai:

https://secure.supportsinai.ca/site/SPageServer/?pagename=donate_today.html

Princess Margaret:

https://thepmcf.ca

Sunnybrook:

donate to the department that cared for Alex at Sunnybrook: https://donate.sunnybrook.ca/champions-of-care), select: Department: Other > Other: K3C (Complex Malignant Hematology Unit) > Caregiver Name or Care Team: Complex Malignant Hematology Unit Team

Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada https://www.llscanada.org/

Information on donating blood, plasma, stem cells, or financial gifts can be found at: Blood.ca

CAMH

https://give.camh.ca/site/Donation2?idb=459334715&df_id=2663&FR_ID=1120&mfc_pref=T&PROXY_ID=1120&2663.donation=form1&PROXY_TYPE=21

Or please consider supporting your local women's shelter.

 

I Carry Your Heart by E.E. Cummings

I carry your heart with me (i carry it in my heart) i am never without it (anywhere I go you go, my dear; and whatever is done

By only me is your doing, my darling)

I fear

No fate (for you are my fate, my sweet) i want

No world (for beautiful you are my world, my true)

And it's you are whatever a moon has always meant

And whatever a sun will always sing is you

Here is the deepest secret nobody knows

(Here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud

And the sky of the sky of a tree called life; which grows

Higher than the soul can hope or mind can hide)

And this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart

I carry your heart (i carry it in my heart)