29°c A few clouds
15°c Cloudy periods
Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION
Out of tragedy comes brighter life for many
TREVOR.HAGAN@FREEPRESS.MB.CA Dad Ryan, mom Tannis and sister Hudson Francis lost baby Porter last year. A run in his memory is being held this weekend at Birds Hill Park.
Porter Francis was born on March 3, 2008. When he was four months old he developed a rare immunodeficiency. His older sister Hudson donated her bone marrow in a last-ditch effort to save the infant's life. The donation took but it was too late for the baby.
Porter died on August 28.
"You would give your life for your child," says Tannis Francis, Porter's mother. "I remember being confused that my love for Porter was not strong enough to save him."
In his last days, Francis had reason to believe a miracle had happened.
"The doctors said his death was likely imminent. I remember not being ready to say goodbye. I just wasn't ready. His heart started pumping again. I thought my love was strong enough to save my kid.
"It doesn't seem fair."
Awash with grief, the devastated parents were forced to pull themselves together for the sake of their now almost four-year-old year old daughter.
"Right after Porter died, I was outside on the lawn playing ring around the rosy. I didn't want to get out of bed. But you have to. You have to put one foot in front of the other.
"Losing a child is unimaginable but we were lucky to have a healthy one. You owe it to your child."
While they are still grieving, Tannis and Ryan Francis decided to build a legacy for their son. They asked their friends and family to make donations in Porter's name.
The Children's Hospital, Wolseley Family Place, West Broadway Youth Outreach and Plessis Road Family Resource Centre were early recipients.
But they wanted to do more.
As Tannis Francis explains, one of the hardest parts about losing a child is that people stop using his name.
"People don't know what to say. I think one of the reasons we're having the run is just so people can say his name out loud. You speak someone's name and they're alive.
"It's so comforting to know he won't be forgotten."
The idea for the run came from Greg Lehmann, Tannis Francis' brother. He's an Ironman athlete and wanted to honour his nephew.
Without telling the couple, Lehmann and his partner booked a date and began searching out sponsors for a five-kilometre run or walk at Birds Hill Park.
"They told us all we had to do was show up and be ready to run."
The event takes place on August 15. Registration can be done online at www.runwithporter.com. There's a $30 registration fee with all proceeds going to the Sunshine Fund, a charity that sends children to camp.
"During the two months he was in hospital we watched the summer through the window. We'd tell him what wind feels like and what we liked to do in the summer. We would have gone camping with Porter. Now other children can go camping because of him."
Three hundred people have already registered for the event. The couple is hoping for 500.
They expect to raise $10,000 for the Sunshine Fund.
Sponsors have donated their services. The August 15 fundraiser starts with sunrise yoga and an organic breakfast for participants and volunteers.
"We'll be thinking about him and celebrating life and love and nature."
Young Hudson, Porter's sister, has her own way of remembering her baby brother.
"She believes Porter makes rainbows and that's how he smiles at her."
The family still grieves deeply but they've managed to take their sorrow and bring joy to the lives of other children. It's a remarkable act of compassion.
In addition to their joy that the fundraiser is already a success the Francis family has another reason to celebrate.
Tannis Francis is six months pregnant.
Happiness is coming to their lives once again.
lindor.reynolds@freepress.mb.ca
Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition August 8, 2009 A2
More Local
- Back to Top
- Return to Local
About Lindor Reynolds
National Newspaper Award winner Lindor Reynolds began work at the Free Press as a 17-year-old proofreader. It was a rough introduction to the news business.
Many years later, armed with a university education and a portfolio of published work, she was hired as a Free Press columnist. During her 20-plus years on the job she has written for every section in the paper, with the exception of Business. She’ll get around to them some day.
Lindor has received considerable recognition for her writing. Her awards include the Will Rogers Humanitarian Award, the National Society of Newspaper Columnists’ general interest award and the North American Travel Journalists Association top prize.
Her work on Internet luring led to an amendment to the Criminal Code of Canada and her coverage of the child welfare system prompted a change to Manitoba Child and Family Services Act to make the safety of children paramount.
She has earned three citations of merit for the Michener Award for Meritorious Public Service in Journalism and has been awarded a Distinguished Alumni commendation from the University of Winnipeg. Lindor was also named a YMCA/YWCA Woman of Distinction.
She is married with four daughters. If her house was on fire and the kids and dog were safe, she’d grab her passport.
lindor.reynolds@freepress.mb.ca
Poll
Most Popular Local
- Community's children apprehended by province
- Glover quits quarrel over election costs
- Basic arithmetic back in class
- Métis ready to ring bell again
- Kids of St. Ignatius make Sweet gesture to beloved crossing guard
- Child in critical condition after West End crash
- Mountie hospitalized, dog euthanized after crash near Saskatoon
- MP Glover files new version of disputed 2011 election expenses
- Ex's Mach 3 an adrenaline accelerator
- New crowd plan for Taylor Swift get-together
- Safeway stores likely to close
- Squirrel crawls out of Winnipegger's toilet
- Poolside feeding prompts eviction
- Court told driver hysterical after vehicle fatally hit highway worker
- Basic arithmetic back in class
- Stoppage of play off the field
- Child in critical condition after West End crash
- Community's children apprehended by province
- Kenyan wins Manitoba Marathon
- Traffic heavy as Bomber fans flock to U of M
- Father blasts 'horrific' movie
- Safeway stores likely to close
- Man dies after being pulled from vehicle submerged in Winnipeg retention pond
- Flood money paid for CEO's romantic trip
- Car in deadly crash stolen?
- UPDATE: Now with FAQ: Keeping the e-party going without the party-crashers
- Squirrel crawls out of Winnipegger's toilet
- Daycare provider charged with abandonment
- Poolside feeding prompts eviction
- Two people killed in crash north of Winnipeg
- Basic arithmetic back in class
- Province blows off wind megawatt goal
- Community's children apprehended by province
- Kids of St. Ignatius make Sweet gesture to beloved crossing guard
- Métis ready to ring bell again
- Bible Belt's bogeyman still haunts town
- Province's new approach to teaching math long overdue: readers
- New crowd plan for Taylor Swift get-together
- Child in critical condition after West End crash
- Ex's Mach 3 an adrenaline accelerator
- Basic arithmetic back in class
- Squirrel crawls out of Winnipegger's toilet
- Safeway stores likely to close
- Province blows off wind megawatt goal
- $110-K worth of nickel plates stolen from Thompson mine
- Known as kind, outgoing men
- A day in the life of 13,380 Manitoba Marathon participants
- Stoppage of play off the field
- Bomber fans wowed by new stadium
- Strong may they run: Manitobans reflect on that fateful day in Boston
- Basic arithmetic back in class
- Squirrel crawls out of Winnipegger's toilet
- Developers to unveil plans for bold downtown tower
- Father blasts 'horrific' movie
- Teachers support adding sexual-orientation themes to all curricula
- The crime fighter's revolution
- Safeway stores likely to close
- Car in deadly crash stolen?
- City's first urban reserve born
- On board with the Snowbirds
Ads by Google
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is be a Winnipeg Free Press print or e-edition subscriber to join the conversation and give your feedback.
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is be a Winnipeg Free Press print or e-edition subscriber to join the conversation and give your feedback.
Have Your Say
New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
Have Your Say
Comments are open to Winnipeg Free Press print or e-edition subscribers only. why?
Login SubscribeHave Your Say
Comments are open to Winnipeg Free Press Subscribers only. why?
SubscribeThe Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.