For Lisa, life in Kansas was filled with laughter, sports and gatherings of her family and friends. Her three children, Blake, Brook and Jace, kept her weekends busy with games, sport practices and pancake breakfasts for the dozens of kids who always seemed to be at their home. “It was the kind of chaos you cherish,” she says with a smile.
In 2019, Jace was a college student enjoying time with friends and family when he began to notice subtle changes in his vision. What started as a routine eye exam quickly led to more tests and ultimately a diagnosis that no family expects – a rare and aggressive brain tumor known as diffuse midline glioma.
Lisa remembers her son’s calm response clearly. “He said ‘I’m not afraid. I just want to make an impact.” From that moment on, he showed us how to move forward with courage and purpose.
That perspective soon became Jace’s mantra: I can’t die, I’m busy. Rather than focusing on limits, he poured himself into making the most of each day and encouraging others. “He brought people together wherever he went,” Lisa shares. “Even during the hardest times, he gave us reasons to laugh, to connect and to keep going.”
From the first hours after his diagnosis, other families reached out to Lisa. Their support and practical advice helped guide difficult decisions about treatment and quality of life. Over time, she and her family wanted to make that support system more accessible for others, helping to create resources that connect families with experts and peers who understand what they’re facing.
Jace’s impact grew far beyond his own story. Even when opportunities were presented to him, his first thought was of younger children who might not have the same chance. “He reminded us that every child deserves an opportunity,” Lisa explains.
Today, Lisa and those who loved Jace continue to honor him by supporting families navigating similar paths. For Lisa, every conversation with another parent is a reminder of her son’s determination to make life better for others.
While Jace’s life was far too short, Lisa says his presence remains with her: “He lived with a sense of purpose, and taught us to do the same. Every family moment, every story we share, carries a piece of him forward.”
