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Colby Curtin: Pixar Grants Dying Girl's Wish to See Movie 'Up'
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by Jarrett Martineau | June 19, 2009 at 03:26 pm
12694 views | 17 Recommendations | 42 comments
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Colby Curtin, a 10-year-old girl in California who had been suffering from terminal vascular cancer, had her dying wish to see the new Pixar movie 'Up' fulfilled.
After Curtin became too sick to attend a screening of the film in a theater, a friend of the girl's family contacted Pixar who responded by sending an employee to her bedside.
The Pixar employee brought an unreleased DVD copy of the film and stuffed animals of the characters and other memorabilia and arranged a private screening for Curtin.
Sadly, just hours after having her wish fulfilled, Colby Curtin died, with her parents at her side.
"When I watched it, I had really no idea about the content of the theme of the movie," Colby's mother told the Register. "I just know that word 'Up' and all of the balloons and I swear to you, for me it meant that (Colby) was going to go up. Up to heaven."
Colby, who was diagnosed with vascular cancer in 2005, saw previews for the film in April.
After a hospice company failed to deliver a wheelchair to Curtin last weekend, that would have allowed her enough mobility to attend a theatrical screening of the movie, her family contacted Pixar and Disney.
Colby was unable to open her eyes to see the movie so her mother described the scenes. When her mother asked if she enjoyed it, the girl nodded, Curtin said.
The Pixar employee left after the movie, taking the DVD, which has not been released. Lynch, who was with the family during the screening, said the employee's "eyes were just welled up."
Colby, with her parents nearby, died later that night.
May she rest in peace.
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at 17:41 on June 19th, 2009
This is a great, heartmoving story. Many kudos to Disney and Pixar for making this happen.
This would make a great Disney, or Hallmark movie.
at 08:09 on June 20th, 2009
What a gesture by Disney and Pixar. I have a 4yr old who asked about the girl who wanted to see "UP" and I told her she went upto heaven and she wanted to go too. I took her and her nephew to see it and they both loved it....and then my daughter said to me, "Daddy, if she was able to see this movie, she is happy and god will take care of her from now on."
at 11:52 on June 20th, 2009
My heart goes out to the weeping souls of this little angel’s family. But remember everyone; she's in Heaven with the other angels now. She doesn't have to be here to suffer the anguish of our own violent self destruction... I mean no disrespect when I say... All of us feel death as a bad occurrence in life, we rarely look at the life one has lived; instead we dwell on the life they still had to live. It’s not every day that a dying person gets their last wish and the opportunity to share it with their family. This little girl got to live a whole life of joy in her final few hours. And like I said, now she’s living the rest of eternity in total bliss… One would hope to be so lucky. You say poor Colby, I say poor us…… You have fun up there little lady J
at 06:58 on June 20th, 2009
My son and I just saw this movie yesterday. I had a lump in my throat throughout much of the movie. And now reading this really makes me tear up. What a great thing for Pixar/Disney to do for this little girl. No doubt the adventure book they brought will become very special to Colby's mom. If you haven't seen the movie, run to your nearest theater. After reading this story about Colby, there's no way you will be able to watch it without crying your heart out.
at 07:34 on June 20th, 2009
As I was reading about this I had tears. It makes me think that there are still some nice people in this world after all. It is very sad that this young girl passed away. I could only wish people would do something for my children if this were to ever to happen. My heart goes out to her family and also to Pixar and Disney for making her wish come true. I do want to see the movie now more then ever, I'm sure that my kids will love it to. I am truly sorry for you loss..
at 07:47 on June 20th, 2009
A very sad story... I know how Colby's parents feel. I also lost my son because of cancer (leukemia) last month. What my son wanted was to see part 2 of the movie "Cars" also by Pixar which is still under production. He never got to see his last wish...
at 07:51 on June 20th, 2009
It was so sweet of them to allow her to see the movie. I think it shows that there are still some good people left in this world
at 08:26 on June 20th, 2009
Thanks to Disney and Pixar for fulfilling a last wish.
at 08:28 on June 20th, 2009
this is so precious and Disney has shown that they still care about they're fans bless you Disney bless you Pixar
at 09:34 on June 20th, 2009
Thank you Pixar and Disney for making this child's last request "magical." My heart is filled with gratitude, love, and hope knowing that companies like yours are in the dream making business. To whoever answered the phone call @ Pixar--God Bless U..
at 09:45 on June 20th, 2009
It's so great to see Pixar respond like that. Big ups to the company for that.
at 10:16 on June 20th, 2009
After hearing this story I have restored faith and respect in Disney. What a wonderful gift for Colby and her parents. She went to heaven smiling and her parents will have a wonderful last memory of her. I haven't seen the movie yet and now I know I will cry the whole way through after reading this story. Thank you Disney/Pixar for making a little girls last wish come true :)
at 16:00 on June 20th, 2009
People die every day of every minute, but this, this story I will never forget. My heart goes out to Colby's family, I can't even imagine what you are going through but remember that Colby is now in the best hands she could've ever been in.
Pixar.......you have truely outdone yourselves. Whoever answered that phone call......GOD BLESS YOU
at 09:36 on June 20th, 2009
bless for the people from Pixar and Disney... viva pixar-disney!!! my prayer goes to colby and family... May God enlighten the burden and sadness of colby's family because colby is in the best hand ever...
at 10:44 on June 20th, 2009
my heart goes out to her family i dont know how she is going threw the loss of her daughter just know that only god can help you threw this tragedy im sorry and just wish i could help u. just this morning i wake up to my kid who did not wake up and was later prounced dead.. my heart goes out to u
at 12:15 on June 20th, 2009
Didn't know young Colby, but this story brought tears to my eyes. Such a beautiful girl who got her last wish. May God bless you Colby and may God bless your family.
at 12:18 on June 20th, 2009
What a wonderful gesture. To the people of Disney and Pixar, what you did was very inspiring, and my thoughts go out for the family and loved ones of this little girl.
at 12:19 on June 20th, 2009
What a wonderful gesture. To the people of Disney and Pixar, what you did was very inspiring, and my thoughts go out for the family and loved ones of this little girl.
at 12:44 on June 20th, 2009
That is about the most wonderful thing I have ever heard. Great Job Pixar and disney. I guess the magic kingdom does exist. (especially for the colby and her parents) god bless you colby.
at 13:40 on June 20th, 2009
what a precious thing life and yet it leaves us broken hearted everyday bless you colby you can fly UP higher than ever now with all the angels.
at 13:59 on June 20th, 2009
This is an amazing story. I am touched beyond belief. I have two children of my own 3 and 7, and I could never in my wildest dreams imagine anything like that happening. Pixar did an amazing thing for this little girl, and the message of UP had to have been a message from up above saying it's time! God Bless you Colby and your family!! May You RIP!
at 14:19 on June 20th, 2009
i just found out about this and i couldnt believe it. such a young girl to die of cancer.....im so happy she got her final wish nad i pray to her. i dont know what it feels like to lose someone you love, but i know it feels 100 times worse than the huge lump in my throat. disney and pixar are amazing if they can do this. thank you so much.
at 14:58 on June 20th, 2009
this story caught my eye on the yahoo front page and i hadnt heard of it before but im glad i did it proves that there are still people out there with hearts who care about humanity and not just selling the product it moved me deeply i was cryin tellying my husband about it so thank you pixar and i give my condolences to the parents cause i couldnt imagine losing my child and the thought is too horrible to consider so my heart goes out to them and the family i am truly sorry for their loss
at 15:53 on June 20th, 2009
My heart and prayers go out to the Curtins. Secondly, isn't it nice that some big box industry finally realizes what is truly important!!
at 16:08 on June 20th, 2009
rest in peace COLBY... Thank Pixar/Disney...
at 17:01 on June 20th, 2009
my heart goes out 2 colby's family. thank you pixar 4 makin her wish come true i know she is smiling down on u guys.
at 17:18 on June 20th, 2009
To Colby Family and Friend,
I saw this story on yahoo.com and I needed to read. It was a good and bad story at the same time. This story touched me in a way which I can’t explain it. She looks like an angel and I hope and wish she is in heaven with all the angels. I believe in this world there are good people and companies that value friends and customers which go on and beyond to help others. I want said that Disney and Pixar did good deed in delivering her the movie that she wanted to see. May God bless Colby and her family. And again thanks Pixar and Disney.
at 17:28 on June 20th, 2009
Thanks to Pixar, the little girls dying wish came thru. I really felt sad reading this blog, even though I'm just a 12 year old girl I can really feel that she is very happy of God taking good care of her UP in heaven.
at 19:08 on June 20th, 2009
oh my god I can't stop crying
at 19:54 on June 20th, 2009
( Balloons in the sky)
June nineteenth two thousand nine,
a little girls dream comes true one final time.
Colby Curtin a ten year old girl,
called home to Heaven,
time to leave this world.
Her mom said, "Colby can you hang on?"
She said, "Mom I'm ready to die,
I'm ready to go home,
But I will wait to see the movie that I've dreamed about,
I'll wait here with you mom at our house."
The name of the movie is just called "Up",
it's about balloons and houses and animated stuff.
Not yet released but previewed on TV,
it was the only wish she had, her final dream.
A friend of the family made a few calls,
Terrell Orum tried Pixar and Disney he called them all.
The next day an employee of Pixar came out,
with a private copy of the movie to watch at her house.
Colby was to weak to open her eyes to see,
so her mom described each and every scene.
Her mom asked her if she enjoyed the movie,
she nodded her head as if it was groovy.
Later that night with a bowed head,
Jesus lifted her up out of her bed.
Angels of God waiting outside,
with many bright balloons for her final ride.
Angels of God lifted her high
As she floated "Up" to Heaven,
with balloons in the sky.
...Russ Acree
racree2001@yahoo.com
COLBEY CURTIN