When the new Ronald McDonald House at BC Children’s Hospital opens next week, it will have contribution from a very special teen.
Building “an ultimate gaming PC” was one of many things on Jasper Mohan’s list of things he wanted to complete.
“Even though he knew he was dying he didn’t stop adding things to his list,” said his mother Barbra. She said his friends and family have picked up some of the items on the list trying to create an ongoing memorial for the gifted teen.
The 14-year-old died last July due to his illness.
In 2012 Jasper underwent intensive treatment for brain and spinal cancer. While staying at Ronald McDonald House in Vancouver, a hospice for families with sick children, he was involved with the ground breaking for a replacement facility which would dramatically expand the number of families able to stay there.
“It’s a wonderful place,” said Barbra. “We met a whole second family that helped us through that difficult time there.”
The old facility where the Mohans stayed closed on May 11 and the new one is set to open on June 15.
“It’s kind of neat that the new house is opening and his computer will be sent down for kids and teens to enjoy there,” said Barbra who added that though Jasper was not an expert gamer, he loved designing video games.
“He had a really aptitude for that sort of thing,” said Jerry Reghelin, a video game design teacher at Brooks Secondary School. “He was a really great kid.”
Jasper particularly enjoyed playing and designing in Minecraft, a popular game which has been described as “Lego without having to clean up,” said Reghelin.
Jasper and friend Aaron Pinch had designed the computer with top-of-the-line components and started to buy the parts, but ran out of time to complete it, said Barbra.
After his death, Barbra contacted Reghelin to take on the project.
Reghelin fundraised the remainder of the money necessary, about $1,200, to complete the computer and then enlisted the help of a former student to put it together.
“It really is a fantastic computer,” said Reghelin. “I’m sure Jasper would love it.”
City Transfer donated the cost of delivering the computer to Vancouver.
Jasper’s list includes a variety of things like building video games, travelling to Japan, cutting a CD, among many other things, said his mother who added there are a few things on the list being worked on. The day before he died he added truffle molds to his list because he wanted to learn how to make the chocolates, she said.
Another is Jasper’s Powell River Improvised Armour X-hibition Boxwars which pits anyone who wants to build a suit of armour and weapons made out of cardboard against each other for a fun afternoon of battle. He lived to experience the inaugural event last year.
The second annual event is planned from noon to 3 pm on Sunday, June 22, at Larry Gouthro Park.
“There’s lots of ways that Jasper is being remembered in the community, but this is a formal thing that we can do,” said Barbra. “It was his idea and it’s such a lighthearted playful event. I think it’s a good way to remember him. It’s not so sad.”
