Michigan (Savannah Smiles)

Savannah's DIPG journey began at age 14 on January 9, 2008 when after complaining of headaches for a week we decided to take her to the pediatrician. After an initial physical, he suggested a CAT scan to rule out anything serious. That initial scan led us to an MRI that confirmed Savannah indeed had DIPG. She fought brave and hard for almost 5 months when the unthinkable happened and she gained her wings to heaven.

Our sweet girl was always smiling, which is why our fundraising events were named Savannah Smiles. She and her brother, Connor, were a pair that loved our camping trips and could quote the lines from the entire Shrek movie as they watched it. Savannah loved tap dancing and went to lessons weekly. She sang in the choir in middle school and was chosen to participate in the Showcase of schools at the renowned Kravis Center in West Palm Beach, FL. She was a cooking buddy with her Mom and they even had matching chef coats. When Savannah turned 12 she wanted a camera. So she saved up her birthday money and bought one. She took over 2,000 pictures of herself and her friends as they went to the mall, had sleepovers and hung out at home. We treasure every picture on that camera. When most kids start Kindergarten, they want a parent to walk them to class on the first day. Our Savannah on her first day of Kindergarten said she wanted to walk by herself to her classroom....and she did. That's how brave she was. She will always be remembered as smiling and happy to embrace life. It is those memories of her that we cherish until we see her again in heaven.

The Cure Starts Now (501c3 Federal Non-Profit) is one of the only cancer foundations dedicated to a “homerun” cure for all cancers, starting first with one of the most deadly and difficult cancers: pediatric brain cancer. Many experts believe that the lessons we learn from fighting pediatric cancer may in fact provide us the critical first step in winning the battle against all forms of cancer, both pediatric and adult.