B.C. community rallies behind family after 6-year-old's death
A flood of grief is sweeping over Richmond, after the family of a six-year-old girl says the child's life was cut tragically short following complications from the flu last month.
While the family of Danielle Cabana is mourning the overwhelming loss, they’ve also been met with a huge show of support.
Danielle was a member of the Richmond Ravens U7 girls hockey team.
The Ravens and the Richmond hockey community are honouring her in several ways including 29 seconds of silence – in honour of Danielle’s jersey number – a tribute teams in the league and beyond are also taking on.
A decal with number 29 reading ‘We play for Danielle’ will soon adorn the helmets of all players with the Ravens and Richmond Jets Minor Hockey Association as another show of support for the grieving family.
“It’s a tragedy,” said hockey mom Jen Jaffe, choking back tears. “Everyone is supporting each other and doing what they can to keep her spirit.”
The Ravens also started a campaign with multiple teams in the city lining their sticks with camouflage tape to pay tribute to Danielle’s love for venturing in the outdoors with her dad.
The initiative has stretched beyond the Lower Mainland, with a team in the Kelowna also lining their sticks with camouflage tape.
“It was important to honour Dani to show our support to our good friends the Cabana’s and make sure Dani is never forgotten,” said Cyclones head coach Jesse Cubbs, who was a former coach of Danielle’s older sister.
A GoFundMe has also been set up to help the family, which as of Monday night had already raised more than $72,000.
While the family, the hockey community and beyond are still coming to grips with this immeasurable loss, tributes are expected to continue in the days to come.
“We’re here stay strong and the whole Richmond hockey community is holding them tight,” said Jaffe.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
As Canada's RCMP marks 150th anniversary, a look at what it says needs to change
After years of reports and allegations detailing a 'toxic' workplace, Canada's RCMP says it is trying to evolve, focusing on diversity in its organization and repairing relationships with communities as it marks its 150th anniversary.

Former Mississauga, Ont. mayor Hazel McCallion dies at 101
Former Mississauga, Ont. mayor Hazel McCallion, nicknamed 'Hurricane Hazel,' has died. She was 101 years old. Premier Doug Ford said McCallion died peacefully at her home early Sunday morning.
Once-in-a-lifetime discovery: Indigenous jacket that may be a century old turns up in small U.K. town
When 1990s suede fringe jackets started making a comeback last year, a U.K.-based vintage clothing company decided to order four tonnes of suede from a supplier in the United States. Along with that shipment came a once-in-a lifetime discovery.
'Cloud of dishonour:' Memphis police disband unit that beat Tyre Nichols
The Memphis police chief on Saturday disbanded the unit whose officers beat to death Tyre Nichols as the nation and the city struggled to come to grips with video showing police pummelling the Black motorist.
Trudeau remembers 'trailblazer' Hazel McCallion as tributes pour in for late Mississauga mayor
Late Mississauga Mayor Hazel McCallion is being remembered for the many ways she contributed to not only to the city she led for 36 years, but also the province and country following her death on Sunday morning.
Majority of affordable homes approved under federal program not yet constructed
The federal government has set aside billions of dollars to quickly build affordable housing across the country, but delays in construction suggest many of the projects approved for funding are missing their deadlines.
How to get over the 'mental hurdle' of being active in the winter
When the cold and snow have people hunkering down, these outdoor enthusiasts find motivation in braving the Canadian winter through community and sport.
'Don't be numb to this': Battling despair over gun deaths
When President Joe Biden signed a bill last year to fight gun violence -- the first such measure to pass Congress in a generation -- a substantial majority supported it. But 78 per cent said they believed it would do little or nothing at all, a survey by the Pew Research Center found.
W5 EXCLUSIVE | Interviewing a narco hitman: my journey into Mexico's cartel heartland
W5 goes deep into the narco heartland to interview a commander with one of Mexico's most brutal cartels. W5's documentary 'Narco Avocados' airs Saturday at 7 pm on CTV.