Tanner was only 10 years old, but somehow, in those short years, he taught so many of us what it truly means to live with faith, courage, kindness, and love. If you knew Tanner, you loved him. It was just that simple. There was something so special about him — a gentleness, a humility, and a light that drew people in instantly. He made people feel important. He made people smile. He made people better. Whether you were family, a friend, a teacher, a teammate, or someone who had only met him once, Tanner had a way of leaving a mark on your heart that you will carry forever. He loved deeply. He loved his family, his friends, his teammates, his teachers, and this community that surrounded him with so much support and love. But above all else, Tanner loved God. His faith was strong, pure, and unwavering, even through the hardest battle of his young life. For 14 months, Tanner battled brain cancer with more strength and grace than most adults could ever imagine. And through it all, he carried himself with that same sweet smile and that familiar “I’m good” attitude that so many of us will always remember. Even during the darkest moments, Tanner worried more about making others feel okay than himself. That was Tanner. He was brave without trying to be. Strong without needing recognition. Faithful without question. And while cancer may have attacked his body, it never touched his spirit. Tanner loved life. He loved the thrill of roller coasters, hunting and fishing, finding shells at the beach, and making memories with the people he loved most. He loved Pokémon and Harry Potter. He loved baseball and football and being part of a team. He loved laughter, adventure, and joy. And he absolutely loved school. Math was his favorite subject, and he genuinely looked forward to being there every day. He loved his teachers, his classmates, who meant so much to him. School was more than a place for learning to Tanner — it was another place where he felt loved, encouraged, and connected to the people around him. What makes Tanner’s story so extraordinary is not just the battle he fought, but the way he fought it. He showed us what courage looks like. He showed us what faith looks like. He showed us what it means to keep smiling when life is unfair. He showed us how powerful kindness can be. There are people who live long lives and never touch hearts the way Tanner did in just 10 years. To Tanner’s siblings and friends, I truly believe you now have the very best angel watching over you. His love did not end here. It lives on in every memory, every laugh, every baseball game, every beach trip, every act of kindness, and every moment where we choose joy in his honor. While Tanner may no longer physically walk beside us, he will forever live within us. And I truly believe with all my heart that Tanner was an angel on earth. He came here with a purpose — to teach us how to love better, smile bigger, trust God deeper, and cherish every single moment we are given. And even though our hearts are broken, we are so incredibly grateful that Tanner was ours. We love you forever, Tanner. Until we meet again.

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. Thank you again for giving.  The cure starts with you…The Cure Starts NOW!