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Kaiden Little, 6, dies of cancer, remembered by friends and family

A Conception Bay South boy who captured hearts and minds as he battled cancer has died.

Kaiden Little, 6, died of neuroblastoma Monday afternoon.

His family made the announcement on a Facebook page called Kaiden's Janeway Adventure, saying Kaiden fought like a true superhero to the end.

Kaiden was a huge Star Wars fan, and after RCMP officer Bryan Vaughan tweeted the news last evening, actor Mark Hamill — who played Luke Skywalker — replied he was sorry to hear about the tragic loss and that "the Force will be with him from here to eternity!"

RNC officers held a fundraiser to help pay for specialized treatment in Toronto. In a Tweet, Const. Geoff Higdon said Kaiden was one of the strongest people he ever met, and asked people to wear green Tuesday, as it was the six-year-old's favourite colour.

'It was heartbreaking'

Royal Newfoundland Constabulary Chief Joe Boland said he met Kaiden through another officer's mother who worked at the Janeway Children's Hospital, where Kaiden was a patient for the last three years.

Boland said Kaiden wanted to be a police officer and even visited Boland's office.

"They came over, his parents and his older brother Alexander came over and visited me at the chief's office," he said.

"It was a connection, and when he told me that day about wanting to be a police officer you just saw in him, he had all the qualities that you would like to see in all our officers here. He had a sense of humour, he was kind, he was a bright little boy."

Kaiden's Janeway Adventure/Facebook
Kaiden's Janeway Adventure/Facebook

Boland said that connection made it all the more difficult when Kaiden passed away.

"It was heartbreaking," he said.

"I had been just over to see him actually, and his parents, so it didn't come as a shock to me, but still, it's just terrible to think a little boy that age pass away."

The chief said it was also valuable for the RNC to be able to contribute to fundraising efforts for Kaiden and his family.

"We felt that we had the means to be able to help this family, and we did … there's no words that you can give, there's no mother or father or grandparent that should have to bury a child that young," said Boland.

"But I think it's important that they see the kindness in people in this community."

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