Casen was your typical eight-year-old boy in so many ways. He loved sports, being silly, having fun, and giving people a hard time. He was independent, smart, talented, and full of personality. He loved his family and his friends, and he loved singing about Jesus.

But there was also something about Casen that I’ve never really been able to put into words. He had this extra spark. This presence. You could feel it when he walked into a room. To know Casen truly was to love him.

I believe with everything in me that Casen was born to make a difference in this world. And sometimes I struggle with how someone who was only given eight years could possibly have accomplished everything he was meant to do.

But then I look around.

I look at the people who love differently because of him. The people who pray because of him. The people who are braver because of him. The friendships he made, the lives he touched, and the people who still say his name.

And I realize maybe his purpose was never measured by how long he was here.

Casen did in eight years what some people spend an entire lifetime trying to do… he left this world different because he was in it.

If I had only two minutes to tell you about Casen, I’d tell you that he was strong, brave, funny, loving, unforgettable, and completely one of a kind.

But if you had known him, I wouldn’t need two minutes. You would have felt it yourself.

We will leave you with the lyrics of Casen's favorite song:

   MY JESUS

Are you past the point of weary?
Is your burden weighin' heavy?
Is it all too much to carry?
Let me tell you 'bout my Jesus
Do you feel that empty feeling?
'Cause shame's done all its stealin'
And you're desperate for some healin'
Let me tell you 'bout my Jesus
He makes a way where there ain't no way
Rises up from an empty grave
Ain't no sinner that He can't save
Let me tell you 'bout my Jesus
His love is strong and His grace is free
And the good news is I know that He
Can do for you what He's done for me
Let me tell you 'bout my Jesus
And let my Jesus change your life
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Amen
Amen
Who can wipe away the tears
From broken dreams and wasted years
And tell the past to disappear? Oh
Let me tell you 'bout my Jesus
And all the wrong turns that you would
Go and undo if you could
Who can work it all for your good
Let me tell you about my Jesus
He makes a way where there ain't no way
Rises up from an empty grave
Ain't no sinner that He can't save
Let me tell you 'bout my Jesus
His love is strong and His grace is free
And the good news is I know that He
Can do for you what He's done for me
Let me tell you 'bout my Jesus
And let my Jesus change your life
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Amen
Amen, Amen
Who would take my cross to Calvary?
Pay the price for all my guilty?
Who would care that much about me?
Let me tell you 'bout my Jesus, oh
He makes a way where there ain't no way
Rises up from an empty grave
Ain't no sinner that He can't save
Let me tell you 'bout my Jesus
His love is strong and His grace is free
And the good news is I know that He
Can do for you what He's done for me
Let me tell you 'bout my Jesus
And let my Jesus change your life
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah, amen
Amen
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Let my Jesus change your life

Thank you for choosing to donate to The Cure Starts Now Foundation. 100% of this donation, after credit card processing fees, goes directly towards research to find the homerun cure for cancer starting with pediatric brain cancer research.

If you would like to make a donation by mail please send a check to:  The Cure Starts Now Foundation; 10280 Chester Road; Cincinnati, OH 45215 and put the child's name in the memo.

The family receives notification of all donations made to this tribute fund automatically.