Celebrating the life of Nalie Agustin, Montreal cancer advocate
Posted April 5, 2022 10:44 am.
Last Updated April 5, 2022 11:08 am.
Friends, family, and supporters came out to celebrate the life of Montrealer Nalie Agustin on Monday.
Her years-long battle with cancer touched the hearts of thousands, whether they knew her personally or followed her journey on social media.
“She was my favourite person in the world. An inspiration, and I know it’s the same for many that haven’t even met her. They felt the same way,” said Marie-Tran Ho, Agustin’s best friend. “They felt a connection. They felt inspired. They felt that they could overcome any adversity.”
The 33-year-old cancer advocate, public speaker, social media influencer, and best-selling author passed away March 22.
#WATCH: Many Montrealer’s came out to celebrate Nalie Agustin’s life and her lasting impact. Agustin was 23 when her battle with breast cancer began, she started sharing her journey in 2013, pic.twitter.com/kR6WoYosBA
— CityNews Montreal (@CityNewsMTL) April 5, 2022
“She didn’t want a funeral with, you know, with all black attire. She wanted us to literally party and celebrate her and we hope that that’s what we’re doing in her honour,” said Ho about the celebration of life on April 4 at Maison Principale in Montreal.
Home videos and photos of Agustin filled the room to commemorate the inspirational figure.
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Agustin was 23 when her battle with breast cancer began in 2013 and she started sharing her journey. In 2017, when she had a recurrence, she continued to share, opening up about her health challenges on YouTube and inspiring many others.
“In her book (‘The Diary of Nalie’), she says she felt like she was living on a cliff, on the edge of a cliff, but she decided to enjoy the view,” said Albert Agustin, her brother. “And that was her. That was her entire journey and her entire life is to, you know, let the light outshine the darkness.
“I’ve learned so much from her. And that’s that message of hope and believing that I will personally take away in the family.”
“She made it really clear what she wanted people to remember most about her. And I think it really was to be inspired to live more,” said Monique Weston, Agustin’s friend. “She loved to celebrate whatever special occasion it was for her family, for all of her friends, to really, just really be loving and kind. And you can see that through her family.”
“In my case, she made me feel stronger, happier, more confident,” added Ho. “And just able to do things that I always doubt myself. And she gave you that confidence.”
