In memory of 'Gordie'

Nine-year-old Stephanie Armstrong wrote in her diary that she was scared her dad wouldn't live long enough to walk her down the aisle on her wedding day.

Now that little girl is 23 and that day is in sight.

This past July, Armstrong got engaged.

“As soon as I got engaged, the memory of my father became more salient,” says Armstrong, who lives with her fiancĂ© Ryan Brown in St. Albert.

Her father Gordon “Gordie” Charles Preun died in 2001 at the age of 38 after an 11-year battle with brain cancer.

“I felt a bit of a loss again because he couldn't be with me for such an important time and I couldn't share that with him,” she says.

To keep his memory alive, and support other brain cancer patients and their families, the second year dentistry student at the University of Alberta started “The Gordie Project.”

Armstrong is selling handmade Bohemian inspired floral and chain headpieces, popular jewelry worn at music festivals and by members of the yoga community.

All proceeds from headpiece sales will be donated to the Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada, the only national, not-for-profit organization dedicated to brain tumour research, support and education.

This isn't her first cancer fundraiser.

At the age of 11, one year after her father's death, Armstrong made bookmarks and sold them for $1. She raised $200 for the Canadian Cancer Society.

Since the beginning of January, The Gordie Project has raised more than $2,000.

“As I got older I realized I want my money to go somewhere specific, especially since brain cancer is less common … it's underserved in terms of donations,” says Armstrong.

There are an estimated 55,000 Canadians living with a brain tumour, states the Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada.

“I think it's important that people realize how real this is,” says Armstrong in a Facebook post.

“Brain tumours and brain cancers affect every part of the patient's world, whether it be their wife, parents or their little girl who is hoping for her dad to walk her down the aisle. We aren't raising money just for the individuals themselves suffering, we are raising it for the families that also suffer every day.”

Armstrong says the memories she has of her father are no longer laced with sadness.

She is touched by the support of family, friends and strangers. Orders for the headpieces have come as far as Nova Scotia and Los Angeles.

“People are hearing about this project from far away and then feeling the need to donate. It's exciting and really wonderful,” she says.

All proceeds from the headpieces will be donated in Gordie's name on Armstrong's wedding day, Aug. 8, 2015.

Her grandfather will be walking her down the aisle.