Miracle baby's 1st birthday

Photo: CTV

A baby dubbed a "miracle baby" born just days before his mother died of cancer has celebrated his first birthday.

Baby Salvatore, whose name means "saviour", has reportedly shown strong growth despite being born just 26 weeks into his mother's pregnancy, weighing only 1.9 pounds.

Sal's mother Breanne Smaaslet was diagnosed with terminal cancer before finding out she was pregnant, leading doctors to believe she wouldn't make it to his birth.

Smaaslet fought to stay alive long enough to hold her baby, telling CTV News just days before Sal's Christmas Day birth she "can't wait to see him, I always wanted to be a mom."

“It just makes me upset that I can't actually be a mom, but I know my baby will be in great hands when the time comes … It’s time to be strong for our little boy."

Smaaslet passed away in the days following Sal's birth. His father Adam Smaaslet died suddenly a month prior, leaving Sal with no parents.

Sal's aunt Rose Pachota has raised the boy since he left the hospital four months after his birth, and says at 22 pounds, the boy is continuing to surprise doctors.

“We were told by multiple doctors he was never going to be here, he likely wouldn’t survive his birth,” Pachota told CTV News.

“They’re now just amazed at his development … There are some of them of them actually in tears because of how well he’s doing.”

Sal is reportedly seeing all the joys of a one-year-old, including toys and attention, with support from family and even from strangers.

“The situation was tragic but we also have this beautiful little boy who is a representation of the mom and dad,” said Pachota. "Breanne made it very clear we were to raise him as his mom and dad ... He's such a blessing.

–with files from CTV Vancouver