12/30/2025
Our thoughts and condolences are with the family of Maddison Duncan.
From Craig Duncan, Maddison's uncle and former board member of MI-UCP: "Our whole family is in complete and utter grief and shock. Maddison was truly the kindest, toughest and most caring human I have ever known. He was definitely given a big box of lemons when he was born, but through all the challenges and pain he persevered and continuously made lemonade that he gladly shared with everyone he met. Please keep my brother Jeff Duncan in your thoughts. Maddison was so fortunate to have him as a father. Both Jeff and Maddison were my heroes. No one should have to suffer the loss of a child."
And a message from Jeff Duncan, Maddison's dad: "I’m not sure how to write this. A parent is never supposed to go through this. After an amazing Christmas and a wonderful trip to Disneyland, my best friend and my hero, Maddison Duncan became seriously ill on Saturday. He was rushed to the hospital, and after hours of the entire medical team and Maddison frantically fighting like hell for several hours, they were unable to save him. Maddison passed away Sunday morning, peacefully, with his loved ones by his side holding his hand.
He is now able to run free with his grandfather and grandmother, and his friends Tyler, Robert, and Justin. I don’t know how a parent is ever supposed to recover from something like this; I know that I never will. I will be lost without him.
Maddison fought through so many surgeries, procedures, and so much pain. Knowing he is finally at peace is the only ray of light I have to hold onto right now. He is no longer uncomfortable or fighting to sit in his wheelchair. Everything was a challenge for him, yet he always found a way to succeed. Never complaining and always with a positive attitude that brought joy to everyone that encountered him. He wasn’t even expected to live, but against all odds he not only survived, he thrived. He just graduated this semester from UNLV with his Bachelor’s degree and while he won’t be able to walk in the procession this spring, I will be there to walk for him.
When you think of Maddison, please don’t think of these last few days. Think of the years where he always found a way to be happy and always had that amazing smile on his face. Not seeing that smile every day is something I will never get used to.
The love I carry in my heart for this young man is greater than any love I’ve ever known, and the loss is equally as great. Maddison will live on forever inside everyone he touched. Anyone who met him became a better person for knowing him.
One of the greatest joys I’ve had over the last 25 years was coaching Maddison’s Miracle League baseball team—taking him every Saturday to be with his friends and watching him try to knock the ball out of the park. In lieu of flowers, we would like to encourage you to make a donation to The Miracle League. Please see link below.
I love you, Maddison.
https://miracleleaguelasvegas.com
