Gunner was a 7 year old, first grader from  Marshall County, Kentucky when he was diagnosed with a DIPG on November 20, 2007. He lived 11 months with the tumor before earning his Angel wings on October 23, 2008.  On Thursday, October 23, 2008 Gunner Henry Gillespie earned his wings. He will forever be 8 years old.  Diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor, Gunner and his family have spent a year on a journey to "move Gunner's mountain." Gunner entered this world on September 4, 2000, with a fighting spirit and a fierce will to live. Born prematurely in Robinson, IL, Gunner weighed only 1 pound 14 ounces and was 13 inches long. He was so tiny that his dad's wedding band would slip up and down his arm. Gunner's determination was amazing to watch and humbling to those around him.

Gunner was blessed with extraordinary good looks. A beautiful child, he had gorgeous brown eyes framed by long, lush, lashes. His smooth skin would tan a golden brown as he played outdoors with his sister, Garlynn, and his best friend, Colton. His laughter was infectious as he rolled on the floor playing with his dogs, Cookie and Noodles. His long legs were well suited for jumping on the trampoline and swinging higher and higher on his back yard swing and his smile wreathed his face as he swam with the dolphins on a family vacation to Discovery Cove. 

Gunner had a mischievous side that was never more evident than when he would slip into the boy's basketball locker room at Marshall County High School when his dad was conducting an intense pre-game pep talk with his team and flip the lights rapidly off and on. At the chorus of "GUNNNNEEERRRR" he would dance away in delight as his big laugh would echo through the gymnasium. Gunner found many things to laugh about and delight in during his short life span. He loved the movie, "The Polar Express" and would watch it repeatedly, laughing each time as though it was the first. He loved whales and sharks and dolphins. He loved Mexican food, his lizard Patches, and Disney World. But most of all, Gunner loved trains and it was his own drawing of a train captioned, "I Think I Can, I Think I Can" on bright yellow shirts that became the community wide symbol of the fight for Gunner's life. First Marshall County took up his bright yellow banner as Gunner's school, Central Elementary School, began wearing Gunner's t-shirts. It soon spread to Marshall County High School where his parents, Gus and Janna Gillespie, are both teachers. Gunner's message was spread nationwide during Marshall County's Hoopfest as each basketball team took the floor wearing Gunner's shirts warranting a mention of Gunner's plight on ESPN. 

Gunner will never know the sheer number of lives that he touched in his short life. But because of Gunner, parents hugged their children a little tighter, people prayed harder and more often, and entire communities joined hands in a common cause as they supported Gunner and his family. Gunner has inspired hope - hope that one day childhood cancer will be defeated. Gunner's difficulties have encouraged us all to be kinder, to love one another, to smile frequently, and laugh often. Gunner's train has carried him to a better place but Gunner Gillespie will forever remain an inspiration to everyone. 

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.