Ryan and Cindy K

In 2002, Ryan Kerr was diagnosed with a rare childhood cancer. His mother, Cindy Kerr, began making pillowcases to brighten up his hospital room and to put a smile on his face. He loved it and she began making pillowcases for other children with cancer at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

Ryan was a most remarkable young man. Diagnosed with osteosarcoma at the age of 12, his life was forever transformed. Over six years he fought through 5 recurrences of his cancer, 30 months of chemotherapy, 15 surgeries (including the amputation of his right leg), over 150 days of physical therapy and two broken bones in his healthy foot. Despite all of that, Ryan never let it slow him down!

Ryan loved adventures — big and small. He loved to go new places, to do new things and to launch off anything with a drop —a half pipe, a ski jump or a railing. Skiing with him was both a joy and sheer terror. He was constantly darting in and out of the woods, flying off the nearest bump and speeding down the hill with an incredible grace and aggressiveness. He always wanted to challenge himself with something new — rock climbing, scuba diving, cycling - you name it, he wanted to do it.

Ryan's courage is nearly legend. His friends were constantly amazed by his adventures and how he would finish chemo one day and ski the next. Few people will ever understand how difficult it was for Ryan to just put on his leg and go through a normal day of school. He was always exhausted and was in pain much of the time. But he would never show it so that he could be with his friends and be in school where he loved to do his photography, hang with his friends and be a part of class discussions.

As a student, he was so curious, so engaging and so kind that he stole his teachers' hearts. He missed countless days of school yet somehow still managed to keep up with his school work and graduate from high school. Ryan never wanted to be known at the school as the cancer kid or even as an inspiration. He wanted to just be Ryan, fitting in with all the other students, no special treatment — except, of course, he loved the perks of the elevator key and the great parking spot!

He was a young man with a wisdom and maturity that so far exceeded his age that he surprised each person he met. Ryan saw beauty in everyone and everything. He learned to be a deeply compassionate, thoughtful young man with a wicked wit, a winning smile and the world's best hugs. Most of all, he lived his life with such joy and courage that he inspired thousands of people in our community and around the country. We are very sad to lose one of the best friends we will ever know, but are thankful for his memory, his inspiration and the light he brought to the world.

In 2008, Ryan lost his very brave battle with cancer but the pillowcase project - now a not-for- profit called ConKerr Cancer — A Case For Smiles - has grown in amazing ways. In just three years, Cindy and tens of thousands of volunteers have provided over 73,000 pillowcases to sick children in 87 hospitals across North America and in South Africa. School groups, sewing circles, church groups and fabric stores have all pitched in and are making pillowcases for the kids.

ConKerr Cancer has had a profound effect on the families we have already reached, and we are deeply committed to providing even more pillowcases — and smiles! — to sick children everywhere. ConKerr Cancer is dedicated to Ryan and the thousands of children like Ryan who bring such courage and light to the world, despite their life changing illness. ConKerr Cancer is our way to keep their light alive.

Story courtesy of www.conkerrcancer.org.

Submitted by Anonymous

Caring