Natalie is our precocious little 8-year old girl whose smile was infectious for all that knew her. She loved art, Taylor Swift, her new puppy Meg, being outside, playing soccer and softball, and being with her friends and family.
She was diagnosed on Sunday, August 26, 2012 with Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG), a rare, inoperable malignant tumor located in the brain stem. Natalie fought a courageous battle for 8 months. She showed determination, strength, and a positive attitude that inspired us every day. Despite her courage, Natalie’s body was exhausted and could no longer battle the cancer. On May 8, 2013 she earned her angel wings.
Natalie’s life on earth was all too short, but she taught everyone who knew her many lessons about how to maintain hope in the face of adversity, the importance of being kind to others, always giving 110% at everything you do, and most of all how to LOVE.
It is Natalie’s courage and grace that has inspired us to form the A.R.T. (awareness, research, treatment) Foundation to help aid others and fight for a cure for DIPG.