Grayson Lawrence Stumpf, Gray, was diagnosed with DIPG pediatric brain cancer when he was 11, on June 13, 2020. Prior to his diagnosis, Gray was the healthiest child, never sick, and had never even broken a bone. Gray was the happiest and brightest in the room, and he had a way about him that made people smile; his laugh was so contagious that it made you laugh.

Gray was the boy that the new kids at school were drawn to because he always looked out for everyone. He cared about animals and nature; he always wanted to have a dog rescue and a family farm. When part of the river started drying up in the summer, Gray would get buckets of water and catch the little minnows, pouring them back into the flowing part, rescuing them and giving them a chance at life.

He had a genuine gift of always seeing the good in things and in people. He had a deep understanding of things that most 11 to 12 year old's don’t. Gray was generous with compliments and humble, he was honest, and he loved giving gifts to others and seeing people smile.

Although Gray was often the smallest on his soccer or baseball team, you would NEVER know it. He was small, but he was MIGHTY, earning himself the nickname, the Bulldog. Gray would take on the biggest kid like it was easy. He never backed down, just like he never backed down from cancer.

He fought DIPG brain cancer with incredible bravery for 377 days. He never asked, "why me?", he never felt sorry for himself, and he tried hard every single day. As the cancer took Gray's abilities one by one, he would figure out a new way to do the activities he loved.  Gray made everything about life better, bringing joy and happiness wherever he went and into everything he did. His interests included fishing, cooking (he was an excellent cook), art, video games, sports, and animals, specifically seals. Gray loved watching football with his dad and he loved his family the most; he always told you how much. I am so lucky to be his mom.

So that's what it means to LIVE GRAY’S WAY💙…Be kind. Be thoughtful. Be humble. Be a good teammate. Give to others freely. Find joy.

Please consider joining us as you "Live Gray’s Way" to do what Gray would do, he would want to give kids the most days to live fully, and give support to the families facing this terrible disease. 

Together, through the money we raise, we will fund DIPG/DMG research, help create access to better trials, fund ways to develop better data about DIPG, provide assistance for families during & after their cancer battle.