Category: Donor Tributes

Kaycee Rose Clark was born on March 3, 2014, after a prayerful time of asking God to bring her into our lives. She was the most perfect baby—she ate, slept, and was joyful. As soon as she began to talk, she would speak about God’s love for her. She thrived in everything she did and was active in the church her entire life, participating in Bible quizzing, plays, Sunday school, VBS, summer camp, and concerts. She loved life and lived it to the fullest.

Cheyenne Grace Nowland was born on March 15, 2024. She was the most precious baby girl, loved and adored by her parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. Cheyenne enjoyed going to church on Sunday mornings and Wednesday nights with her parents and especially loved spending time in the church nursery with her new friends.

Keanu, affectionately known as Kiki, will always be a radiant presence in our family. Kiki’s beautiful, infectious smile and giggles brought joy to everyone he encountered, including his dedicated medical team at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medicine.

The first time Maksim was diagnosed was in 2015. He was almost 6. We had just started kindergarten—and it had only been half a year since we began a new life in the U.S. The diagnosis was medulloblastoma. Surgery, radiation, chemo. It was hard, but he did it!

Levi was our typical fun and loving 5 year old boy. He loved to play t-ball, going to school, traveling, and most of all, playing with Transformers. He loved his family as well and his friends. Levi was loved by many.

Peyton was more than just our son—he was a light in this world. From the moment he entered our lives, his sharp wit and boundless curiosity made every day an adventure. He was the kid who could make anyone laugh, the one who saw every challenge as an opportunity, and who cared deeply for others.

Gretchen was a vibrant 13 year-old girl who loved school, sports, reading fiction and hanging out with her friends. She was going to start high school and try out for the field hockey team in August 2023

Sammy was a cheerful and rambunctious soul. He mastered riding a pedal bike on his first attempt at age 3. He loved trains—whether wooden, electric, or real—biking, racing around playgrounds, jumping on trampolines, and playing with his big brother. Sammy was the picture of energy and health until shortly after his 5th birthday when he started to become increasingly fatigued.

At the start of his third year at Texas A&M University, the Midline Glioma, or DIPG symptoms, started just as he was ready to take on the world with grand plans to save the planet, one habitat at a time. He was going to do it alongside the sweet and intelligent young woman he loved, also a student at A&M.

Matthew was someone you think of as an overall wonderful person. A team player, and the most influential and kind son, grandson, brother, and cousin anyone could ask for. He knew how to be funny at the right moments, cared deeply about the people around him, and wanted them to be happy.

Braylee was a girl with a true heart of gold. She was a healthy and active 10-year-old girl who had played in a volleyball game the day before her diagnosis—a diagnosis none of us saw coming. Braylee was diagnosed with a very large, inoperable brain tumor: grade IV Glioblastoma Multiforme.