💙 Our Superhero
July 12, 2017

On July 12, 2017, our superhero was born. Lincoln came into this world with the bluest, wisest eyes. From the very beginning, he was sweet, gentle, and easygoing—a little boy who could connect with anyone, no matter their age. He had a way of making everyone feel special, and his smile could brighten any room.

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💙 The Day Everything Changed

When Lincoln was 3½ years old, we noticed a change in his appetite and energy level. Instead of running around and playing, he wanted to lie down. He began complaining that his legs hurt. As first-time parents, we thought these were simply growing pains—until his neck became swollen.

His pediatrician gave us two options: wait a week or do bloodwork that day. Something in my heart told me not to wait.

The next morning, we received the phone call that changed our lives forever.

"Your son has cancer."

We drove immediately to CHOP, where Lincoln was admitted to begin chemotherapy. He was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) and would spend the next 2½ years fighting.

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💙 A Warrior's Heart

Despite everything he endured, Lincoln's light never dimmed. He remained the same playful, joyful little boy who found happiness in every day. During treatment, his little brother, Gunnar, was born, and Lincoln embraced his new role as big brother with so much love.

After completing treatment, Lincoln continued seeing his oncologist for routine follow-up appointments over the next two years. With each visit, we hoped we were leaving cancer further behind. For a while, life finally felt normal again.

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💙 An Unexpected Battle

On May 20, 2025, Lincoln went in for what we thought was another routine follow-up. The bloodwork took longer than usual. I knew something wasn't right. When the doctor slowly walked toward us, I already knew.

"Lincoln's cancer is back."

This time, he had developed Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)—one of the rarest and most aggressive forms of leukemia. The very treatment that had once saved his life had now led to a new fight.

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💙 Choosing Hope

Lincoln endured months of intense chemotherapy. When the leukemia stopped responding to treatment, our options became incredibly limited. An adult chemotherapy drug was our only chance to buy more time. We wanted every possible moment with our son.

The treatment worked just enough for doctors to attempt a stem cell transplant. On November 19,  I, Lincoln's mom, had the honor of donating my stem cells to Lincoln.

Then, on December 30, we received the words we had been praying for:

"Lincoln is in remission."

For the first time in a long while, we allowed ourselves to breathe.

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💙 One More Fight

Just a few months later, on March 13, Lincoln had another bone marrow biopsy. Five days later, our greatest fear became reality.

"The cancer is back."

This was the third time our sweet eight-year-old was being asked to fight cancer. Jay and I gave Lincoln a choice. He could continue fighting... or he could lay down his sword. Without hesitation, Lincoln chose to fight.

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💙 A Hero Until the End

Memorial Sloan Kettering offered Lincoln a chance to participate in an AML CAR-T clinical trial. The odds were small. But Lincoln had always defied expectations. With incredible courage and a smile that never faded, he fought every single day until May 29th.  Lincoln closed his eyes for the last time on May 28, with his dad by his side. He passed away peacefully on May 29, surrounded by the love of his family, leaving behind a legacy of love, courage, and kindness.

 

On May 29, 2026, Heaven welcomed our beautiful boy home.

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💙 Lincoln's Legacy Lives On

Lincoln's life wasn't defined by cancer. It was defined by kindness. By joy. By courage. By the incredible way he loved every person he met.

Love, Linc exists so that Lincoln's light continues to shine through every act of kindness, every helping hand, every smile shared, and every person who chooses love.

His story didn't end. It continues through all of us.

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Love Like Lincoln.

Spread Love.

Show Kindness.

Pass it on.