August 23, 2009 – March 26, 2017
Diagnosed: September 30, 2016
Written by Payton’s family
– Fun loving – Giving – Silly – Snuggly –
Mom, Jessica, remembers: “Payton was very giving.
“After a day out shopping, Payton kept saying he needed his dad to take him to the store to get something for me that he had secretly found for me. Two weeks later he was hospitalized, then released home on hospice care to die.
“The first day home from the hospital he didn’t stop talking about the store. We used video chat and sent his brother to the store. He said no to every ring until he saw “the one.” His eyes lit up and he pointed saying “THAT’S THE ONE!” Later he gave me the ring. It was beautiful. I cried and told Payton it was the most beautiful thing anyone has ever given me and thanked him. It has a beautiful red stone, just like his favorite ring and the one he picked for his daddy. I’ll cherish it forever.”
Mom (Jessica) – along with Dad (Jason), brothers Wesley and Jordan, and sister, Maddison – want others to know Payton’s story because: “Before Payton waa diagnosed, I had never heard of DIPG. I feel the more people who know about this horrible disease, the more awareness we can all raise together and the more funding we can raise towards a cure.
“Payton’s life mattered/matters, as well as the lives of all of the other children battling and lost to DIPG. We need better treatment options at least, and a cure for DIPG. With the majority of people in the “dark” this cannot be accomplished.”
