Honoring Keaton’s Angel – Abel

We remember our Keaton’s Angel, Abel

On August 17th, 2021, Abel was diagnosed with Glioblastoma, a malignant brain tumor. Abel was 17 years old at the time preparing to finish his senior year of high school and go on to college. This news changed all his life plans and what he had prepared for his entire life. Abel and his family were referred to Keaton’s Family Navigator Program in February of 2022. After learning about the personal challenges his family was experiencing, we were honored to support his Mom while she did her best to find a balance between working and being a caretaker.

Our Family Navigator learned so much about the family and Abel, including how much he thrived in school. When he was attending regular public school, he did not feel like he fit in, leaving him wanting more in his education in a different environment with others he could relate to. This led him to reach out to a prestige boarding school in Palo Alto and after he connected with the school’s director, he took the opportunity to start his education there.

Being able to connect with Mom to learn about Abel’s life accomplishments has been an honor for Keaton’s. Abel unexpectedly gained his angel wings on March 16th, 2022. As a kind and smart teenager, he had so many goals he aspired to accomplish. Throughout his journey, he never stopped caring for his loved ones and always worried about his Mom. With Abel’s heart of gold, his legacy certainly lives on with the unforgettable impact he has made.

We remember our Keaton’s angel, Abel. In the words of Abel’s sweet family, “Abel left us beautiful memories of love and affection, his hugs were so special that we could feel how much he loved us, his advice always positive and with the intention of helping others, his way of seeing life in a harmonious and calm way. His taste for music, drawing, video games and his creativity, led him to carry out beautiful projects in his school, which will stay with us forever. After 6 months of war he lost the battle against cancer at the age of 17. Despite the situation, Abel always remained strong and positive. His spirits were never down. He always made sure to give his best and show love to his loved ones. Our dear Abel. Son, brother and friend. Now our Little Guardian Angel.” – Abel’s Mom and Sister

Losing a loved can lead to many different forms of grief. Keaton’s Child Cancer Alliance is here to support families whose child transitions into our Angel Wings Program by offering a Remembrance Box, grief resources, and financial support towards memorial services.

The Unsung Heroes

When a child is diagnosed with cancer, the whole family is impacted. In this journey, siblings often become the unsung heroes—quietly showing strength, compassion, and resilience beyond their years.

While the focus is understandably on the child battling cancer, siblings face their own emotional challenges. They may experience feelings of worry, fear, confusion, or even guilt, and it’s important to acknowledge their role and provide support for them as well.

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Meet Keaton’s Kiddo – Stryder

Meet Keaton’s Kiddo Stryder, a fun-loving 5-year-old who enjoys animals and race cars! At just two years old, Stryder was diagnosed with stage 4 high risk neuroblastoma, a form of cancer that develops from immature nerve cells, and spreads to distant parts of the body. When Stryder was diagnosed, he was just three months away from celebrating his 3rd Birthday. A time that was supposed to be exciting and celebratory turned into a moment of heartbreak, and what began as an ordinary childhood took a dramatic and heart-wrenching turn, turning his and his family’s world upside down. Despite the weight of his diagnosis and all that’s come with it, Stryder’s spirit has been nothing short of extraordinary.

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Meet Keaton’s Kiddo – Peyton

Meet Keaton’s Kiddo Peyton, a resilient and joyful little girl whose life was forever changed when she was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) at just 3 years old. When Peyton’s mom, Dianna, noticed unusual symptoms like persistent low-grade fevers, pale skin, and unexplained bruises, she followed her instincts and pushed for further tests. This led to the heartbreaking leukemia diagnosis, but Peyton and Dianna quickly found solace in the network of support provided by Keaton’s Child Cancer Alliance.

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