Orange County’s OC Register has a story on a young girl named Colby Curtin — a ten-year old who had been battling a rare form of vascular cancer for three years now. The young girl was a big movie fan, and while seeing the movie Monsters vs. Aliens, she saw a preview for Pixar’s Up and declared it a must-see.
Unfortunately, before getting to see the movie, her condition worsened, and her family attempted to obtain a wheelchair so they could get her to the theater. The wheelchair didn’t show up in time, as Colby’s condition had declined her to immobility. In a desperate attempt, and with no more options, a friend of the family began calling Pixar, making up names to try and get the automated phone system to recognize someone that they could reach out to. Eventually this worked and the family was able to explain their situation.
When Pixar agreed to try and get the movie to her, the news was passed on to the girl’s mother, who asked her daughter if she could hang on just a little more. The girl simply replied “I’m ready [to die], but I’m going to wait for the movie.”
Pixar immediately flew in an employee of theirs (the studio declined to name who the employee was or take any credit — another testament to their heart), who brought a copy of the movie on DVD along with stuffed animals of movie characters, a poster, and a scrapbook similar to the one that the wife of Up’s main character used.
The young girl was unable to open her eyes to watch the movie, but she could listen while her mother described what was going on. When it was over, Colby was asked if she enjoyed it, to which she nodded yes.
Seven hours after getting to see the movie, she passed away with her parents close by.
The mother, who had no idea what the movie was about aside from the balloons carrying a house, truly believes it was symbolic of her daughter’s ascent to heaven.
[Source: via Cinematical]
Man, thats mess up guys! Way to make us all sad before the weekend starts!
Alas, it was heart warming story. Great job, Pixar Guys!
RIP Colby.
“Around here, however, we don’t look backwards for very long. We keep moving forward, opening up new doors and doing new things… and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.”
-Walt Disney
Rest in Peace colby. Hope you loved the film.
That is a really sweet story. Everything about it was so touching. I think this story should be made into a film. It was very moving.
Im glad pixar was human enough to give her her wishes.
..::R.I.P. Colby::..
It’s always tragic when a child dies. It’s just never seemed fair or right to me. Being a combat vet of three wars this really hits me. For what ever reason I go on and on even surviving cancer, but everyday little innocent lives pass on.
korollocke, that is quite a contrast. These sort of things are hard to put into a reasonable perspective. All we can do is be gratful for each day we are offered and be thankful that there are those who wish to put in their best efforts to help a child such as this sick little girl. Also korollocke, I just want to say that you have done a good thing in servicing your country the way you have. I would say it is unfair that someone who has dedicated so much of his life to his homeland would have to endure the pains of cancer. I know the majority of the country is proud of soldiers like you. Sorry for the off topic inclusions!
That’s how I would like to go, watching cartoons with loved ones before quietly passing. Her family also gets props for being so persistent with her wishes, I’m glad Pixar could made that wish come true.