With the heaviest of hearts, we share that sweet Drew passed away peacefully at home last night, surrounded by the people who loved him most. He left this world knowing, without question, how deeply cherished he was. Family and close friends gathered around him, holding him close and loving on him, and his pup Snoopy was there to give him gentle kisses one last time. The space Drew leaves behind feels impossibly big, and our hearts are forever broken.
Drew was so much more than a brain cancer warrior. He was an 11 year old full of curiosity, joy, and life. When he wasn’t out catching Pokémon around town, you could find him at ninja classes, horseback riding, playing the cello, participating in his scout troop, or shooting hoops on the basketball court. Above all else, Drew’s favorite person in the world was his little brother, Tyler. Their bond was pure, fierce, and full of love.
Diagnosed in 2019 with anaplastic ependymoma, he faced surgery and radiation with bravery beyond his years and became the youngest patient at St. Louis Children’s Hospital to complete radiation without sedation. When cancer returned in 2021, Drew fought again. When it came back once more in 2023 and was deemed inoperable, he still refused to quit. He traveled across the country for clinical trials, all while continuing to live fully and unapologetically as himself.
Through every setback, Drew remained positive. He often called his cancer a “fun fact” and believed with unwavering confidence that he would beat it, because he had already done it twice before. Drew’s fight may be over, but his love, laughter, and warrior spirit will live on forever in the hearts of his family, his community, and all who were lucky enough to know him.
