Our Warriors Who Inspire Us

Story

Camden was a cheerful, creative, and fun-loving little boy who courageously battled DIPG, an inoperable and highly aggressive form of brain cancer. Prior to diagnosis, Camden enjoyed nothing more than getting the full attention of his big brother, Kaden, and sister, Kennedy. He loved to make people laugh, and he could orchestrate fun like nobody's business. He enjoyed digging in the rock pit at preschool, crashing his trucks into pretty much everything, and snuggling up to read his favorite stories over and over. Camden loved to build with Legos, make quick Costco runs with his dad (which always seemed to include picking up a slice of pizza and a soda), and engage in "surprise attacks" by throwing rolled-up socks at unsuspecting siblings. Camden spent countless Saturdays at his mom’s school library, helping her get the library ready for the upcoming school week. He would hide tiny dinosaurs for the kids to find when they were searching for library books, and he even started creating "library cards" for everyone in the family. His illustrations on the cards of each family member were hilariously spot on.

After diagnosis, Camden continued to fight for the right to play, even when cancer began to take away so many abilities we all take for granted. When he could hardly get up out of bed, his imagination only deepened as he figured out ways to play with the people who loved him. He painted rocks, played make-believe with his zillions of stuffed animals, and dictated how his family should build train tracks throughout the entire main floor of their house. Bedtime became an incredibly special time for his family. Camden seemed to lean into those quiet moments as they read familiar stories and sang songs together.  

Some of the earliest symptoms Camden’s family noticed before his diagnosis were issues sleeping, a nasally change in his voice, and slight balance issues. Doctors removed his tonsils, but nothing helped. He just could not sleep at night, and he was getting so tired. Then one day, Camden’s eye turned in. When his mom would call his name, and he focused closely on her, his eye would straighten out, but it continued happening all day. The next day, Camden’s eye was still turning in, so his mom called Urgent Care and was told to take him to a children's hospital where he was later diagnosed with DIPG at the age of four.

Camden’s family was forever changed. The pain of sharing what DIPG was and what it meant was going to happen to Camden was so horrific. They made it their mission to be laser-focused on what matters most--the love that they have for each member of their family. They found themselves taking lots of family trips that they never would have before and just soaking in whatever fun they could offer their children. Camden never really complained about what was happening to him. He was brave through and through. There was one day when Camden’s mom mentioned her head hurt while lying in bed with him. He looked at her so seriously and said, "I know. Mine does too...all the time." It was the closest he ever came to complaining.

After weeks of not being to hold himself up or stand, let alone walk, Camden was sitting on the couch with his mom watching his big brother and sister play a game of toss. Camden decided he wanted to play and tried to stand up. Amazingly, he was able to stand. His family couldn’t believe it as he gingerly walked towards Kaden and Kennedy. He even caught the ball and threw it a few times. Camden’s mom is so thankful that she had her phone nearby and was able to capture the beautiful moment of her three children playing together. It was a miracle. Camden wasn't able to do that again after that evening. That moment will be forever etched in his family’s hearts.  

Camden valiantly spent the last 12 months of his life battling DIPG before passing away on June 9, 2020, at 5½-years-old. He faced pediatric cancer with a resilience and fortitude that inspired all who knew of his story. He is sorrowfully missed by all who knew him.

Funding pediatric brain cancer research is so important to Camden’s family. DIPG is a devastating disease. As a family, they value hope, and funding for research helps keep hope alive. Hope that a cure will soon be uncovered, so no other families have to live through the nightmare of watching DIPG steal their child or sibling.