In December of 2008,  Alison, Tony and Amelia brought toys to Cooks Children's Hospital for Christmas.  They delivered toys to 18 girls and boys (ages 3-18) and 2 infants.  15 board games were donated to the playroom.  After their visit to the hospital, they went to The Ronald McDonald House where they delivered towels, pillows and toys for their playroom. Even though it was a bittersweet visit, Brendon enjoyed both Cook's and the RMH so much and would be delighted to have donated so many needed items, and joyful gifts to the kids being served at those facilities.  This will be an annual occasion for The Brendon Scott Coates Foundation.

Ty Nordstrom is a courageous first grader from Abilene, TX who loves Bagukan and Pokemon.  Over the course of seventeen months, many doctors tried to explain his extreme pain and decreased range of neck motion.  On November 5th, 2007, Ty was diagnosed with synovial sarcoma.  Ty has bravely endured extensive rounds of chemotherapy and radiation.  He is still fighting this mysterious cancer today.  Ty was a big friend of Brendon's, they went through chemo together at Cook's. 

In April of 2009, Ty and his family were able to take a Disney trip where they had a wonderful time.  He even had enough money to buy all those wonderful toys up and down Mainstreet at the Magic Kingdom.  It was an honor for The Brendon Scott Coates Foundation to be a part of helping this family take their trip and create priceless memories.

We love you Ty, keep up the fight!

To hear more about Ty's courageous battle, please visit his care pages site:
http://www.carepages.com/carepages/tynordstrom

This page is dedicated to the courageous kids who are still fighting the battle.  The Brendon Scott Coates Foundation has been honored to help these awesome kids and their families!

This is the story of Armstrong Zortman, otherwise known as "Army".  Army loved Thomas the Train and Diego.  On November 20th, 2008, he was diagnosed with an unknown, high-grade malignant brain tumor and Glioblastoma Multiforme.  He was only 3 1/2 years old at the time.  He endured 3 brain surgeries followed by extensive radiation and chemotherapy.  On the evening of April 9th, 2009, Army was rushed by ambulance to the hospital after suffering from a seizure.  Less than one hour later, he lost his battle and was pronounced dead.  Army and his family (including young siblings) were scheduled to take a Make-a-Wish trip to Disney World but as a result of his passing, the trip was cancelled.  His mother Lindsey wrote the following:

"The boys are very angry that they don't get to go with Army on his Make-a-Wish trip. The trip was going to be at the Nick Hotel in Florida. Army was going to see Diego, Dora, go to Universal Studios and to Disney World. My step-son Robert was going to go as well. And we were all really excited. And to kids, that is really hard to explain. Not only did you lose your baby brother, but yeah you don't get to go on that really cool trip either. I mean if I was a kid I would be pretty angry too. I'm sure that someday we will be able to plan a trip of our own, but man oh man we really wanted Army to get to have his wish trip! Isabella sobbed so hard that it wasn't fair that Army didn't get to go. He never got to meet Diego. And I know we all hurt, knowing that our baby Army never got to do his wish trip. It is exactly what we feared. That Army would lose his battle before he got anytime to just feel OK and not be sick."

Even though Army had passed, we felt that The Foundation could help his family fullfill his wish for a Disney trip.  While the purpose of The Foundation is to improve quality of life for children with cancer, it is also there to support the families as well.  Any family who has been touched by pediatric cancer can attest to the toll that it takes on everyone.  Along with the help of other small foundations, The Brendon Scott Coates Foundation is able to help Army be with his family in spirit on their trip to Disney World in late September.  To hear more about Army's courageous battle please visit his care pages site www.carepages.com/carepages/Armstrong