This year I am riding in honor of Kadyn. Kadyn was someone who’s family described him as having a zest for life unlike any other kid. He had the most compassion and empathy for everyone he met. He was an old soul who loved his family more than anything, especially his siblings. Kadyn was active in baseball, loved hunting with his dad and just loved being outside. He wanted to be in the medical field, after looking up to his grandma who was a nurse for 34 years! When he was in 4th grade, he moved schools and started struggling with bullies and bad teachers. There is a family history of anxiety and depression and Kadyn started struggling as well. He was in therapy and saw a psychiatrist and was open about his mental health while the family worked to develop a plan. Despite that, on February 23rd he made a fateful and irreversible decision to take his own life. I met Kadyn and his family when he arrived in the pediatric ICU. He was in critical condition without any idea if he would survive. We performed various life saving measures, but unfortunately Kadyns injury was irreversible. The family, knowing Kadyn's empathy and love for others, chose to let Kadyn be an organ donor. Kadyns organ we’re able to go on to bless 4 individuals with families to extend their life. Kadyns family knows his legacy will live on forever in those people. And his family will stick with me for their resilience, love and support for their son and how they continued to emulate his kindness and compassion even in the end of his life.
I ride to honor patients like Kadyn.