Six-year-old Andrew Smith was taken to the Sparrow Hospital Emergency Room in Lansing, Michigan, by his parents, Shawn and Sandy Smith, on Thursday, October 25, 2007. The Smith family, including Andrew’s 11-year-old brother Stephen and his 8-year-old sister Charis, were recovering from news they had received three days earlier—that Sandy, at the age of 40, had breast cancer.

By the end of the afternoon, a physician’s assistant told the Smiths, “There is a large area of swelling in he brainstem; we suspect a mass.” 

Andrew replied, “My mom has a mass!”  

The following day, the Smiths learned that Andrew had diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma, a terminal brainstem cancer.

Andrew was funny without realizing it. He enjoyed playing with his brother and his sister, and he was a natural on the piano. He sang perfect alto, and he loved church—and all the people at church.

Over the summer before diagnosis, Andrew began to struggle with holding the cello and with playing the piano. The changes occurred slowly, so the Smiths did not realize what was happening. Andrew had difficulty with stairs, and the Smiths began to notice a difference in his gait. He also began to fall regularly.

Within just a few days that October, the Smith’s lives were turned upside down.  Andrew was hospitalized and started treatment, including surgery to place a port, radiation, and chemotherapy. They went from homeschooling to being focused on Andrew’s physical and occupational therapy, making needed modifications to their home, and learning a new normal. They also began to see the impact of steroids on Andrew’s body and personality. 

Andrew, who quickly picked up the nicknames “Superman” and “Super Andrew"  because of his Superman pajamas, lived life fully for over 25 months in spite of DIPG. 

He thought a boy on Decadron needed a chocolate bar. He did not appreciate horizontal stripes because they showed his fatness. He wanted to play basketball for Michigan State, and he hoped to be a preacher when he grew up—just like Daddy.

Andrew died on December 4, 2009. He was eight. Before he died, he made the decision, with his family, to donate his brain tumor tissue to his Dr. Warren’s research because he hoped to make a difference for other children with brain cancer and their families. 

Thank you for choosing to donate to The Cure Starts Now Foundation. 100% of this donation, after credit card processing fees, goes directly towards research to find the homerun cure for cancer starting with pediatric brain cancer research.

If you would like to make a donation by mail please send a check to:  The Cure Starts Now Foundation; 10280 Chester Road; Cincinnati, OH 45215 and put the child's name in the memo.

The family receives notification of all donations made to this tribute fund automatically.