Dean Crowe, Founder and CEO of the Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research, shared a post on LinkedIn:
“Ten years.
Ten years have passed since you have been gone, Grant.
People say time heals all wounds. That has not been true for me. Time does not heal. It teaches you how to live with the pain.
I remember exactly where I was when your dad texted me that you were being rushed to the PICU.
I was getting ready to go to Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research, brushing my hair. I dropped the brush, walked down the stairs, out the back door and drove straight to the hospital.
I remember the elevator doors opening onto the PICU floor. Your mom and sisters stepped off the one beside me.
Silence. We did not walk down that hall. We almost ran.
The waiting room quickly filled with people who loved you and loved your family. I remember your dad coming in and collapsing into my arms. It was unbearable.
I remember walking back into your room. Your mom was lying beside you, holding you, gently stroking your hair.
She looked me in the eyes and said:
This is the first time he has been calm all day. It has been awful.
I will never forget that moment.
Time does not heal those wounds, but it does something else. It strengthens resolve.
It strengthens my commitment to fight for better treatments, to push for faster access to clinical trials, to change what families experience when their child is battling this disease.
Because you deserved better, Grant. All kids fighting cancer do. The researchers who pour their hearts, minds and souls into their work deserve better, too.
As Winston Churchill said, ‘Never, never give up.’
As we enter Holy Week, I hold onto the deep belief that you are alive and whole in heaven. For that, I am grateful.
But you, Grant, our Spidey, are deeply missed this side of heaven.”
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