A Legacy of Love
“We consider ourselves lucky that we had so many wonderful years with her. We had 30 more years because of the IWK.”
— Jim, Melanie's dad
Every child who enters the IWK leaves an impact far beyond their years. Melanie Hackett was one of those special souls.
Although quiet and reserved by nature, Melanie’s parents, Jim and Lorraine, describe their daughter as a “magnet”—her kind heart, quick wit, and radiant smile made a lasting impression on everyone she met.
“Everyone gravitated towards Melanie,” shares Lorraine. “If you met her once, you remembered her.”
At just five years old, Melanie was diagnosed with Medulloblastoma, the most common cancerous brain tumour in children. She was admitted to the IWK and spent a year and a half receiving treatment. During that time, the IWK became her second home—a place where she and her family found strength, comfort, and hope.
“The IWK treated us like family,” explains Jim. “The nurses, doctors, and staff were unbelievable, not just in the way they cared for Melanie, but in how they supported us as parents.”
Like her parents, Melanie never forgot the care she received at the IWK. She formed incredible friendships and loved spending time in the playroom with other children going through similar experiences. She also looked forward to proudly placing a sticker on her calendar after every chemotherapy and radiation treatment.
Despite the lasting effects of her illness, Melanie grew up to defy every expectation. She graduated from high school with honours, travelled the world, pursued her passion for baking, and started a small business selling baked goods at local craft shows.
Her passion for baking was matched only by her love for family. She adored her three nephews, who couldn’t wait to spend time with their Auntie Mel, and shared an unbreakable bond with her siblings.
Over the years, Melanie continued to face health challenges but never lost her positive outlook.
“We consider ourselves lucky that we had so many wonderful years with her. We had 30 more years because of the IWK, and Mel never forgot the care she received there,” says Jim. “Even when things were hard, she would always say, ‘I can do this.’ That was just who she was.”
In 2023, Melanie was diagnosed with a second cancer, which she met with the same courage that had defined her life. Before her passing in 2025, she left a gift in her Will to the IWK Foundation, ensuring other children could receive the same compassionate care that gave her the chance to live life to the fullest.
This selfless act lives on as part of Melanie’s legacy—a bright light that will continue to make a difference for years to come.