Ian the Cancer Wrangler

04/03/2026

2 years ago, Ian started Radiation.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1NtWrB7wTy/

04/01/2026

Omg who remembers this?!?!
We were in Oaklahoma during the Battle of the Prairie and Texoma Sale in 2023.
12 days later scans showed Ian's cancer came back aggressively and we had a whole new battle to endure.
https://www.facebook.com/share/r/18Gii8okUx/

03/27/2026

💛❤️💙Yesterday was incredibly special.💙❤️💛

We stood alongside Obed & Isaac’s and ImpactLife to present a $5,000 check to OSF Children’s Hospital of Illinois Cancer and Blood Disorders Institute… and this one means more than most.
Because this isn’t just a partnership to us, this is part of our story.

Obed & Isaac's gave us a place to step away from the hospital room… a place to breathe when everything felt heavy.

ImpactLife… I’ll never forget those little 💚 “thank a donor” 💚 hearts on the blood products Ian received during treatment.

And OSF… they never gave up on him. Not once. Even in the unthinkable moments of his rare cancer journey, they kept fighting for our boy.
That’s what this is really about. 🫶

To everyone who grabbed a Bloodline Wheat:🍻 THANK YOU!!!

You didn’t just enjoy a beer… you showed up for kids like Ian.

❤️ Right now, O-negative blood is critically needed. If you’re able, please consider donating, it truly saves lives.

And this isn’t the end… stay tuned. We’ve got more coming this year. 🎗🫶

https://www.facebook.com/share/18UaZcp7We/

03/26/2026

Come celebrate with us at Obed & Isaac’s Microbrewery & Eatery today at 2PM. We’ve got some really exciting news to share! 🎉

You won’t want to miss this!

03/25/2026

Please keep Miller's family and friends in your prayers tonight.
We will always remember him being the big brother to all the little patients at St. Jude. He gave Ian encouraging words while on the outpatient BMT floor when Ian was having rough times.
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18GxngYP8h/

03/02/2026

Did you know how blood product availability happens in Emergency situations?

Blood Emergency Readiness Corps was activated after the tragedies, like what happened in Austin, TX and lifesaving blood was shipped immediately.

That blood came from donors who gave before the crisis from only 12 blood banks across the nation.

Now it’s our turn to make sure our local hospitals stay ready for every patient who needs it.

🩸 If it’s been a while since your last donation, help us replenish the supply.

How you can help TODAY:

📞 Call (800) 747-5401
📱 Text LIFESAVER to 999-777
💻 Schedule at bloodcenter.org or on the ImpactLife app

Be the reason the shelf is full. ❤️

03/02/2026

Please pray for time, rest, and miracles.

Miller, his team, Kevin and I have discussed and agreed to move to primarily comfort care.

He is in respiratory failure. His body is tired, and he has suffered enough.

We don’t know how much time we have. It could be days. It could be longer.

What I do know is that my son has fought harder and longer than anyone I have ever seen. He still wants to live. He is not giving up. He has endured more than most people could survive. I am in absolute awe of him.

Now our focus shifts to his peace.

Miller’s comfort is at the forefront of every conversation. We will continue to follow his lead — listening to him, honoring him, making sure he feels safe and heard.

No more pushing. No more trying to make his body do something it cannot do. Just comfort. Just love.

He asked for his dad and Bubba. They are on their way. He also wanted Gamma “if it’s not too much to ask” 😭 Koko’s flight was delayed so she is back here with us at St. Jude now. Miller is not alone. We are surrounding him with everything we have.

We are grateful to be surrounded by love. ❤️

Please give us grace and be patient as we face what I imagine will be the hardest days yet. 💙🧡

📸: watching his Sooners last night ❤️‍🩹

02/08/2026

💙❤️ So incredibly proud of this little guy! ❤️💙

Ian officially finished the Kids Heart Challenge as the #1 fundraiser in his entire school… and his class also earned #1 Top Class for dollars raised! 🏆👏

What started as “just another school fundraiser” turned into something so meaningful for our family. Watching Ian work hard, share his story, and cheer on his classmates has been such a blessing. He truly put his whole heart into helping other kids with special hearts, just like his.

Because of YOU, our friends, family, and community, he was able to reach this amazing milestone. Every donation, share, and word of encouragement meant more than you know. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. 💕

The school fundraiser officially wrapped up on February 6th, but I’m not exactly sure when his online donation portal will close. If you’ve been thinking about donating or still feel called to give, it’s still open for now, and every bit continues to make a difference. ❤️

We are so proud of you, Ian. You showed what determination, kindness, and heart can do. 💪💙

Those little feet really are making a BIG difference.
Thank you all for being part of this journey with us!

http://www2.heart.org/goto/iancancerwrangler

02/05/2026

❤️ Ian’s First Kids Heart Challenge ❤️
This year, Ian is participating in his very first Kids Heart Challenge, and honestly… interesting that it hits differently this time around than just another school fundraiser.
For a lot of families, this is just “that time of year.” Another form. Another event. Another thing on the calendar.
For us, it’s a big deal.
It’s Ian getting to do normal kid stuff.
It’s another milestone we once prayed so hard for.
It’s a reminder of how far he’s come.
The time we've spent on the 4th floor at Children’s Hospital of Peoria. We’ve met families walking through pediatric heart issues and other serious medical battles, families who live this life every single day. Hospital rooms instead of classrooms. Appointments instead of playdates. Worry instead of sleep.
So this challenge hits close to home.
Ian is learning about taking care of his heart, his body, and his brain, but he’s also learning how important it is to help others. He’s learning kindness, empathy, and gratitude, even at such a young age.
We are so proud of him. Not just for participating, but for getting to experience these “normal” moments that feel anything but normal to us.
Thank you to everyone who supports him, our school, and families like ours. It truly means more than you know. ❤️
Follow the link below if you would like to help Ian out on his first school fundraiser.

http://www2.heart.org/goto/iancancerwrangler

01/30/2026

12/19/2025

🎅📰 HOT OFF THE NORTH POLE PRESS! 🧝‍♀️✨
Santa’s elves have finished counting, and the final tally from Ian’s Giving of Hope Drive is in!

💙 Potential Impact from Ian’s Giving of Hope Drive

🩸 17 Whole Blood donations

👉 Each whole blood donation can help up to 3 people
👉 17 × 3 = up to 51 people helped

🩸 4 Double Red donations

👉 Each Double Red donation collects 2 units of red blood cells, helping up to 6 people
👉 4 × 6 = up to 24 people helped

🌟 Total Potential Impact:

✨ Up to 75 lives helped because of this drive.
That’s 75 patients, 75 families, and 75 reasons for hope — all because this community showed up with open hearts and giving hands. ❤️🎁

12/17/2025

🎉 Alright, TODAY’S the day!!! 🎉
We are so excited to start getting ready for Ian’s Hope Drive today from 2 PM - 5:50 PM at the Clinton Community YMCA, featuring our Heroes for LIFE Blood Drive with ImpactLife🩸 and Toys for Tots Toy Drive 🧸❤️

The giving spirit is strong, and YOU are showing up in a big way! Here’s where we’re at right now:

🩸 Whole Blood Appointments:
✅ 16 of 24 spots filled — AMAZING!
➡️ 8 slots still available

❤️ Double Red Donations:
✅ 2 of 4 spots filled — so awesome!
➡️ 2 slots still open

✨ Walk-ins are always welcome! ✨

🎄 Special Ian Alert: Ian will be there passing out candy canes, so be sure to look for him when you’re donating blood or dropping off a toy!

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you to everyone helping make Ian’s Hope Drive come together. This community never ceases to amaze us. 💙🛡️

https://login.bloodcenter.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/146374