2017 09 Sep pics
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- Cooper Deming
Today, we ask you to take time to remember Cooper.
After experiencing double vision, Cooper was diagnosed with a brain tumor just days after finishing 6th grade in June of 2016. The type of tumor was not able to be biopsied or surgically removed because of its location in his brain. Cooper endured a series of 30 radiation treatments that were completed that October.
A MRI in December showed the tumor had shrunk and another in March of 2017 indicated no change. Unfortunately, another MRI in April showed that the tumor had grown as Cooper began experiencing balance issues and advancing weakness. Cooper passed away peacefully at home in the arms of his loving parents on May 9, 2017.
Cooper, known as “Coop” to his friends and “Cooper the Brave” to his many admirers, was a sweet and caring 12-year-old boy who loved baseball, his family, and his friends. Cooper brought out the best in everyone he met and that was made clear by the hundreds of people – both kids and adults – who gathered as flash mobs singing his favorite songs to welcome him home, decorated his room with posters and cards while he was at treatment, helped the family with their everyday tasks and needs, and rallied to raise money to help support them financially.
After Cooper passed, his mom and dad made the decision to have an autopsy performed, and the results showed that Cooper had a DIPG (Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma). DIPG is known as the “worst of the worst” of childhood brain tumors. Chemotherapy doesn’t work, and radiation only extends life a few months. As of now, it is always fatal.
The world lost an amazingly bright star in Cooper and we will work every day to honor his memory by supporting research that helps future kids, teenagers, and young adults with DIPG and other types of cancer.
The above was posted on Facebook by the Morgan Adams Foundation, an organization that helps with treatment options and childhood cancer research. Cooper Deming is their ambassador for September. Cooper was our nephew and is sorely missed by all. If you can help, here’s where you may make a donation to Morgan Adams Foundation. Thank you.