Trigger Warning: This post discusses a severe asthma attack and loss of life.
By Kimberly Couvillon, Amber’s mum.
About Amber:
“My beautiful daughter, Amber Marie McCollom, was born on December 2, 2009, in Windsor, Ontario. Amber was the heart of our family, sharing her life with six wonderful siblings—Ashlee, Jake, Andrew, Carter, and Curtis. She was cherished deeply by me and her fathers, Bee Couvillon and Carl McCollom. Amber was full of life—an outgoing, energetic girl who loved playing volleyball and running track. Although asthma limited her to shorter sprints, she still excelled in the 100-meter dash and often finished at the top of her class.
Amber attended St. John Vianney Elementary School, where she met her lifelong best friend, Izzy. Their bond was unbreakable. After graduating, she moved on to Grade 9 at F.J. Brennan Catholic High School in Windsor, where she made many more friends and memories that I know she treasured.
Amber dreamed big. At just seven years old, all she wanted was to visit Marineland, and that year, we made it happen. As soon as we arrived, she told me, “Wishes really do come true.” It turns out, that’s exactly what she’d wished for when she blew out her birthday candles. By 13, she was excited to earn her own money working in a kitchen at the Windsor Sportsman Club. Although that job was short-lived due to age restrictions, Amber’s work ethic and determination shone through.
She was fiercely loyal, incredibly caring, and always there for her friends, especially during their toughest times. I still hear her words in my heart: “I’ll always be a girls-for-girls person, even if I hate you. If you tell me something, I won’t tell a soul.” That was Amber—strong, kind, and trustworthy to the core.
Living with Asthma:
Amber’s battle with asthma started early. I noticed her symptoms as a baby, but it wasn’t until just before her third birthday that she was officially diagnosed—after a terrifying asthma attack nearly took her from us. I will never forget that day when she was brought by ambulance from Windsor to London, Ontario. That’s when the doctors confirmed her asthma diagnosis. From that day on, our lives were a roller coaster of stability and sudden, frightening flare-ups that meant constant changes to her medications.
Amber also had several allergies that evolved over time. She was allergic to cats when she was younger, but later developed allergies to dogs and even to the cold—her skin would break out in hives whenever she was exposed to cold air. Seasonal changes, especially in late spring and early summer, were particularly hard on her. The poplar fluff in the air would trigger her asthma, leading to emergency calls more times than I can count. Still, we had periods where her asthma seemed stable, including over a year without hospital visits. But it never fully went away, and I often wondered if that first severe attack had done permanent damage to her lungs.
Amber even participated in asthma research studies, always hoping to find something that would help. But sometimes, her condition forced her to withdraw because they just weren’t effective.
Amber’s Final Days:
On June 2, 2024, Amber left the house like she always did, saying, “I love you,” before heading to the park with her friends. That was the last time I heard her voice. At the park, she suffered a severe asthma attack. She used her inhaler, but it didn’t help. An ambulance was called, but tragically, it didn’t arrive in time to give her the Ventolin treatment she desperately needed. Her asthma attack led to cardiac arrest. Paramedics were able to restore her pulse after six minutes, but by then, the lack of oxygen had caused irreversible brain damage.
Amber was rushed to Windsor Regional Hospital and then to London, Ontario—the very same hospital where she had been treated as a toddler. Doctors discovered she had an upper respiratory infection, which had complicated her asthma. By June 3rd, machines were doing all the breathing for her. Despite everything the doctors tried, by June 5th, Amber’s brain showed no activity. At 11:38 AM, my sweet girl was pronounced dead.
She was just 14 years old.
Even in death, Amber’s kindness shone through. She was an organ donor, and because of her, four lives were saved. Her kidneys went to two children, her liver to a 30-year-old woman, and her heart to a 60-year-old man. That’s who Amber was—always giving, always helping others.
My Message:
I share Amber’s story not only to honor her memory but to raise awareness about how serious asthma can be. I miss her every single day. People say it gets easier, but it doesn’t—you just learn how to carry the grief.
If you have asthma or know someone who does, please don’t take it lightly. Be diligent with your medication. If it doesn’t feel like it’s working, don’t wait—go back to your doctor and advocate for yourself. Amber was in the middle of a medication change, and she was vaping. The time of year, her chest infection, and everything combined made things worse. I didn’t even know she was sick when she walked out the door that day.
And if I can say one more thing—please don’t vape. Especially if you have asthma. It’s not worth the risk.
Amber’s story is a painful reminder of how dangerous asthma can be. I hope by sharing her journey, other families will realize the importance of proper asthma management and how quickly things can turn serious. No one should have to go through what we did.
Amber’s memory lives on through the lives she saved, the friends she supported, and the family who loves her dearly. Her story is a call to action for better asthma awareness, management, and advocacy—because asthma is serious, and every life is precious.”
By Kimberly Couvillon, Amber’s mum.
Written by Amber:
My name’s Amber, and I love sunsets. My favorite sports are track and volleyball, even though I’m not the best at them. I’ve been doing track every year since 4th grade.
I’m close with my sister, even though I don’t talk to her much. I have four brothers and one sister, and they’re all half-siblings. I have two nieces. My favorite brother is the one I talk to the least.
I’m allergic to dogs, but I’m a dog person. I can talk for hours with the right person. I’m quiet if I don’t like you or don’t know you, but loud and goofy if I vibe with you. I stick my tongue out when I’m bored, when it’s silent, or when I feel awkward. I’m a people person, but I don’t like people.
I’ll always be a girl’s girl, even if I hate you. If you tell me something, I won’t tell a soul. If you vent to me, I’ll try my best to help you with whatever you’re dealing with. My BSF’s family is like my second family. I laugh a lot if I don’t know what to say. I get along with everyone until I don’t. I believe in second chances.
I cried when my friend moved to Vancouver. If you give me a bracelet or necklace, I’ll never take it off. If I vent to you, I trust you a lot. And there’s more, but you wouldn’t know.
Useful Links
A.C.T. On Asthma
People with asthma face a higher risk of serious illness from preventable diseases, making vaccination extremely important.
Peer to Peer Fundraising
When asthma is unmanaged, it can put a pause on your life. Learn how to break breathlessness and press play on life.
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Over 4.6 million Canadians are living with asthma, a condition that worsens for many during wildfires. Your generous contribution will enable Asthma Canada to not only heighten awareness and deliver vital education on such critical issues but also advance our efforts in research aimed at ultimately finding a cure for asthma.