By Hillary Beney and Nikki Caperchiono
(Two close friends of Reilly Anzovino, a Fort Erie, Ontario teen who died following a tragic traffic accident in her hometown this past Boxing Day, could barely contain their tears as they asked tearful listeners at a public hearting in Welland this March 9 if Reilly might still be alive today had the province not shut down the emergency rooms in Fort Erie and Port Colborne.)Reilly was not only an amazing daughter and sister, but also the best friend anyone could have asked for.
Denise Kennedy, mother of Reilly looks on as two of Reilly's close friends hold back tears after delivering a message during a public hearing on hospital services in Niagara, as Sue Salzer, a Fort Erie advocate for hospital services in south Niagara looks on.
When she walked into a room, her angelic smile and beauty took over. She was artistic, beautiful, funny, clumsy, smart, passionate and outgoing.
She was the best prom date (anyone) could have asked for. She brought laughter into the lives of everyone she knew. We have all felt as though Reilly had a greater purpose in life, this may just be it.
On December 26th, Reilly passed away in a tragic car accident. Each and every one of us can remember the exact moment when we received the news and the overwhelming rush of heartbreak and disbelief.
What happened that night forever changed our lives and our outlook on this community? We believe that this irrational decision to close down emergency rooms within the area played a big role in the death of Reilly.
The closure of the emergency rooms forced the ambulance to travel a greater distance and ultimately cost Reilly valuable time. In those critical moments we lost the girl who would buy you lunch, when you ran out of money, lend you her clothes if you had nothing to wear and run to your house, in a heartbeat when you needed her just because you had a bad day.
This situation has affected our outlook on living, growing and beginning a family of our own in this community. What happened that night could happen to one of your friends or loved ones, and we do not wish this pain on any other person?
Look through the eyes of Tim and Denise (Reilly’s parents) who wish nothing more than to see their beautiful daughter walk down the aisle or graduate from university and for Akin to enjoy his nieces and nephews.
Don’t wait to make this change until it starts to affect your life because one day it may.
Listen to the people who have been through the nightmare that we are all trying to awake. Make Reilly’s life worth something more than she could’ve ever imagined. Save a life and bring our hospital back!
(Click on www.niagaraatlarge.com for Niagara At Large for more news and commentary on this and other matters of interest and concern to residents in Niagara’s greater binational region.)
Niagara At Large 
The photo says it all. Bless her friends for their courage and loyalty. How could anyone with a heart not listen and hear their plea?
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We are so proud of Reilly’s friends for the support and passion they show towards Reilly, our family and eachother. We are thankful to everyone who has been working hard and not given up trying to get what is rightfully ours back, our ER and hospital. Reilly would say never give up. Reilly’s friends want to start “The Purple shirt Bregade” and stand along side the Yellow Shirt Bregade ladies. Reilly already has shown us all that she truly did have a “higher purpose.” Miss you Reilly with all our hearts.
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No words can express our eternal sadness in the loss of a beautiful young woman named Reilly Anzovino. Our actions to fight for our hospital in Reilly’s honor in order to prevent this from happening again is paramount. Reilly’s higher purpose resides within each and everyone of us. We will not give up until we get our ER’s back.
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