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Destiny Rivera
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Devan Christopher White
5/11/1995 – 1/7/2011My son Devan was an active 15-year-old boy that played several sports. He had many friends as he was quite the character and had the personality that would light up a room with laughter.
He was a freshman in high school when he was diagnosed with NET - Primitive Neuro Ectodermal Tumor (a rare, cancerous, pediatric brain tumor). We took him to Columbus, Ohio on January 13th, 2010 to have the tumor removed at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. Following the surgery, we brought him back to Ft. Wayne where he would undergo aggressive radiation and chemotherapy at Lutheran Children’s Hospital for several months. During the treatments he became very weak and lost most of his eyesight. Once the chemo was stopped, the tumor began to grow and spread like wildfire. At this point there was nothing else the doctors could do to stop the growth. We were told that my sweet boy would possibly make it to Christmas. Devan remained positive and knew that his time was limited. He listened to his music and enjoyed the Christmas cards being sent to him from all over the world. Devan made a wish through the “Make-A-Wish” Foundation and became an honorary Storm Trooper #511 and was presented with his own outfit. Devan earned his angel wings on January 7, 2001 and now resides in Heaven where we will meet up again someday. He will be missed and never forgotten.
We love you baby doll.
Love, Mom. -
Devin Wayne Diem
1/31/2006 – 1/14/2011Devin was born with the cord wrapped around his neck twice, he was extremely blue almost black but he survived with no extended hospital stays or issues and was a very healthy baby. Growing up he was always smiling and daddy was his hero. He had big brown, almost black eyes framed by extra-long dark lashes which the nurses coveted! Fortunately when he was going through treatments he lost his hair but never his gorgeous eyelashes. As he grew, Devin was big brother’s buddy and little sister’s protector, he was the happy go lucky nothing gets me down middle child and loved life to the fullest. In the summer of 2005, he was tired a lot and breathing hard, and so started the tests on August 23, 2006. There was no messing around: they did CT scans and Xrays. After finding a mass pushing his left lung shut, they immediately sent us to Hershey Medical Center. For 14 months he bravely battled his cancer with rarely a complaint, always a big smile and shiny eyes, he soon became a nurse favorite! After many rounds of chemo, and radiation, moving towards transplant, we were told it wasn't helping and they found a second mass. We took our precious son home, where he passed away October 13,2006. Devin left a huge hole in our family, He had touched so many, but our angel waits for us in Heaven, PAIN FREE!
We love you, Devin, xoxo, Dad, Mom, Brandon and Emily -
Diamond Tincher
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Dominic Cairo
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Dustin Joseph Merez
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Edward Livingston
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Eli Sidler
4/11/1996 – 06/24/2012Eli was a remarkable young man whose example of living life to the fullest even under adversity was an inspiration to many people. His father bestowed on him the nickname “Chemowarrior” to symbolize his courage and Eli proudly incorporated that name into his identity.
In 2004,our son, Eli was diagnosed with PNET/Ewing’s Sarcoma at the age of eight. His cancer was located in his spine and was localized. The initial treatment lasted a year and involved 14 rounds of inpatient chemotherapy, six weeks of radiation therapy and surgery. Mouth sores, nausea, vomiting, infections and not being able to eat or even swallow for more than a year were his treatment “side effects.” After completion of his treatment, Eli was free of disease until a routine scan two years later showed a recurrence. A second surgery and another year of chemotherapy followed. He was then disease-free until a
second recurrence nine months later. More treatment and surgery followed until a third recurrence six months later and this time, the cancer had spread to his lungs.Eli endured another surgery, additional radiation and more chemotherapy but to no avail. In March of 2012 he woke up paralyzed from the waist down and it was discovered that the disease had spread all up and down his spine in a three-week period after his most recent scans in that area were determined to be stable. He tried to make the best of his new situation but the cancer progressed and after an eight-year battle he passed away on June 24, 2012 at the age of 16 with his parents and grandparents by his side.
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Elainia Marie Gray
9/19/2000 – 9/6/2009Elania Marie loved her four brothers and sister, horses, fishing, fashion, dancing, music, the colors purple, pink, and red, and life. Elania was two and a half when she was diagnosed with Ependymoma. In her first fight, Elania underwent 3 brain surgeries, shunt placement and re-placement, several rounds of chemo and weeks of radiation. After four years of being free from this tumor, it came back. She underwent another brain surgery and 13 months of a rigorous oral chemo regimen that she overcame with strength and joy that we all wished we could have. Never in the fear of losing Elania, we were not prepared for the outcome. Another brain surgery and aggressive intravenous chemo could not kill this tumor. Two months after her fifth brain surgery, and just 13 days before her ninth birthday, Elania went to be with her Heavenly Father. She ultimately won this battle!!! Elania Marie was the most loving, caring, generous person that anyone on earth would ever have the pleasure of meeting. She loved with her whole heart and had strength and endurance that only God can give, a shining light to her family. She is dearly missed but we do not grow in our sorrow for she awaits us. Feasting at a table and running on streets of gold!
R.I.P. Elania Marie - Sept. 19, 2000 - Sept 6, 2009
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Elicia Marie Kelley
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Elise Cummins Smith
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Elizabeth Nelson Jones
07/09/2010 – 05/08/2014Libby’s life was celebrated by all, but her father, uncle and “nanny” said it best with the quotes about this little 3 year old’s life. Her father said, “She captured my heart from her first day here on earth and I committed myself to being in each and every moment we shated 100%. In doing so, I can tell you with great detail, every emotion and every feeling of those moments that we shared, whether it was at the park, in a pool, on a run, at Monkey Joes, or any of the tons of places we remembered her, so I will hold those tight today, next week and for the rest of my life and those will help me smile and celebrate her life. It is easy to tell that she is: strong physically and mentally, she is both smart, but also wise beyond her years, and she is nothing short of amazing.”
Her uncle said, “As a beacon of courage, she set the standards we should all strive for... showed us unbelievable faith that brought so many people toghether... and proved herself to be the strongest little girl ever.”
Her Nanny said, “To become the life-changing source of love and joy to one exceptionally belssed personwho had the privilege of calling that sweet girl her best friend... That’s why God made Libby.” No more leukemia, no more pain or suffering.
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Elizabeth Marie Pitts
11/26/1999 – 07/01/2010Elizabeth enjoyed life and lived it to the fullest extent, only limited by the frail body she lived in while here. She battled brain tumors and cancer like a true warrior. Elizabeth faced every challenge with no fear, just faith. She loved God and all the splendors only He could offer. She enjoyed fishing with her Daddy, cooking with her Mommy, and swimming with her Sissy. Elizabeth was an honor roll student at Pine Grove Elementary School.
Told by her physician her hair would fall out from the chemo treatments, Elizabeth and her mom, Melanie, tossed up ideas about the fun wigs she could get, including electric blue and hot pink. But it was a wild curly blond Afro wig she donned to surprise Dr. Scott Bradfield at Nemours Clinic at Wolfson Hospital in Jacksonville, Fla.
On her eighth birthday, the first year she did her benevolent act called Hugs for Hope, she collected about 65 teddy bears. On her 10th birthday on Nov. 26, she be collected not only teddy bears, but also blankets and pillow cases for local children and hats for child oncology patients at Wolfson Hospital who have lost their hair to chemo treatments.
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Elizabeth Taylor Kulikowski
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Ellen Smith
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Ellie Blaine
01/26/2011 – 05/20/2014Ellie had just turned two when she was diagnosed with Pineoblastoma, a rare brain tumor that only affects 10-40 children a year. Prior to being diagnosed, Ellie was a very spunky little girl, who loved pony tails, all princesses and the color pink. She loved to drive her big brother crazy and was about to become a big sister for the first time. She enjoyed singing and dancing and playing with her friends. Right before her 2nd birthday party she began to throw up, and after she never got any better, an MRI revealed a tumor in her brain. After 2 brain surgeries she was released from the hospital, it took her maybe 2 or 3 days to resume her normal brother bothering and trying to run around the house.
Ellie was treated at St. Jude Children's Hospital in Memphis, TN. We had to split our family over 700 miles, but that girl's infectious smile and spirit made life so much easier. Through the iPad Ellie taught us to laugh when we felt like crying and how to hug one another 700 miles away. Ellie went through 4 rounds of high dose chemotherapy, followed by two rounds of lower doses. She lost her hair about 6 weeks in and constantly made jokes about her crazy hair! She continued to wear a hair bow or a hat everywhere she went, because that's what she loved. She also took on a love of tutu's and the occasional tiara. Ellie never complained about a hospital stay, a medicine or getting sick. She woke up every day with a smile on her face.
Ellie’s battle with cancer ended in December of 2013. Until very end, Ellie continued to smile, to snuggle with us, and to drive her brother crazy. Ellie taught our family and community what it means to be Princess Strong.
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Emily Ann Lewis
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Emily Lauren Rose
6/10/1997 – 12/20/2008A cheerleader and honors student, Emily had just completed her junior year in high school and had just begun her summer volunteering as a counselor at a summer camp. For one week out of the summer, the camp is utilized by Camp Care – a camp dedicated to children with cancer. Since Camp Care brings in their own staff, the counselors are given that week off. Emily decided to stay and volunteer with the Camp Care kids. She was deeply touched by the children she got to know and called me from camp in tears sharing their stories of bravery, their great appreciation for life and the things that really mattered.
A week later, Emily became ill with a sore throat, enlarged tonsils and was completely zapped of energy. The doctor suspected mono, but after a routine blood test, we were told “Emily has leukemia”. Further testing revealed she had Acute Myeloid Leukemia and she began chemotherapy that very same day. After three aggressive rounds of chemo, a bone marrow transplant, and being hospitalized for five months, Emily sadly lost her battle at the age of 17.
As was characteristic of Emily, she was more worried about those of us around her than herself. She fought her battle with courage and dignity and taught each of us how to truly live life. She left with us the beautiful memories of her radiant smile and the unselfish love she had for all of us. We miss you, Angel face.Please Visit:
www.caringbridge.org/visit/emilyrose -
Emma Louise Journeay
06/03/2003 – 08/25/2012Emma loved everything that sparkled. She loved color. She told me once that black and gray weren't true colors. Her favorites were blue, purple, and anything that glittered. She loved strawberries and she loved make up. Any kind of makeup - she liked to "do me up”. She always did my hair and makeup for hours at a time!" She wanted to be a teacher when she grew up, but also a model and an actress in her spare time.
She is missed so much by me, her dad and her two brothers, Jack and Sam. Her three Grammies and three Papas miss their little girl too. Her three best friends, Rya, Megan and Caitlin miss her too and of course, Mrs. T. and Heather. So many people miss her and love her. She loved our bedtime routine called goodnight eyes and I miss saying it.
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Erin Buenger
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Erin Marie Roderick
06/23/2004 - 03/28/2009Erin Marie Roderick was born on June 23, 2004 in Concord, MA. She was diagnosed with a brain tumor called an Ependymoma when she was just 10 months old. Over her much too short 4 years of life, Erin underwent 3 brain surgeries to remove tumor and completed 39 radiation treatments and multiple chemotherapies. Erin passed away on March 28, 2009, leaving her parents and big brother broken-hearted. She now has a younger brother who will never know her.
Erin was a beautiful, happy, funny and spunky little girl. She loved her Purple Hippo, the color pink, and pizza. She wanted to be a Princess Ballerina when she grew up. She attended preschool and dance classes in her hometown of Hudson, MA and made friends everywhere she went. She loved and was loved.
The loss of Erin has left an enormous hole in our lives that can never be filled. She is greatly missed by all who had the great pleasure of knowing her.
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Ezra Matthews
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Felicia Rupp
07/30/1985 – 10/01/1998Felicia was diagnosed with a form of brain cancer. A form very rare in children. Hershey Medical center could not even find survival rates for children with this particular brain tumor. The doctors did tell us in adults this cancer was nearly 100% fatal within one year of diagnosis. They told us to "make memories now". She battled like a warrior, never saying, "why me" or that "it's not fair." Before we knew it, Felicia was at 5 years past diagnosis. She was kicking Brain cancer's butt. We had a celebration for Felicia's 5 year milestone and shortly after that Felicia became ill. Doctors felt she had the flu but she just could not shake it. A trip to Hershey told us that it was not the flu but in fact Felicia had Leukemia (AML). We had no idea you can get more than one kind of cancer. She battled cancer yet again.
Things did not go well from the start. Treatment had started but it was not working. As the weeks went by she became weaker and weaker. One night in her hospital room she was struggling to tell myself and her primary nurse something. Finally, in barely a whisper, she said "I'm sorry." Then she reached up and touched the nurse’s cheek and gave her a kiss. Here was a child that had every right to be bitter and angry at what life had handed her but instead, she was sorry for the pain she saw in everyone's eyes, and she did not want it that way. She chose to be thankful, thankful for the doctors and nurses that were there for her. That is the last thing I ever heard her say and the last thing I ever saw her do. Later that night she lapsed into a coma and died a week later in my arms. Her battle was over.
Felicia will continue to touch our lives in ways we couldn't imagine, all the while looking down from above.
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Gage Lee Scott Besing
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Gavin Michael Sima
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Gino Grandenitti
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Gracie Giselle Purdy
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Gracie Marie Evanko
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Grant Gregory Bleeker
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Griffin Kane Yarbrough
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Hailee “Bug” Cunningham
02/01/2008 – 03/14/2014Hailee “Bug” Elizabeth Cunningham, age 6, gained her angel wings, Sunday, March 16, 2014 at her home surrounded by her family in Fort Branch. She was born to Rick and Rachel (Lee) Cunningham Feb. 1, 2008 in Newburgh.
Hailee loved playing with her cat, Boots, and her dogs, Diesel and Sadie. She loved her brother, the color pink, playing dress up, shopping, lipstick, and fingernail polish. Hailee always had a smile on her face and never complained. She always wore a dress unless she was in trouble then she had to wear pants as punishment. She was a member of the Vertical Church in Fort Branch. She was a student at the Fort Branch Community School.
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Hailey Pease Maxim
7/18/2003 – 7/28/2011My daughter, Hailey, was a normal 7-year-old girl for the most part. She thought her big sister was the best person in the world and wanted to be just like her. She loved to dance, sing, play outside, ride her bike, cheerleading, playing make believe and dressing up. She did all this and more, however, in high heels. Shoes were her passion. She also loved watching movies with me (her mom) snuggled up on the couch, and her favorite part was always when the princess gets her prince. She was also a daddy’s girl and knew just how to get her way. A giant hug, kiss, and smile usually worked and if not, tears did. She was one of a kind. All of our lives were better with her.
On April 14, 2011 Hailey was diagnosed with Tcell ALL. She endured her chemo, multiple surgeries, countless medications and all the side effects and she barely even complained. She spent weeks in ICU under heavy sedation and intubated in June 2011. When she pulled through that and we thought things were looking up, the doctors told us there was nothing more they could do. We tried everything we could but sadly she earned her angel wings at home in my arms, surrounded by family, on the morning of July 28, 2011 just 10 days after her 8th birthday. She is missed tremendously and will forever remain in our hearts.
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Hans Weberling
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Hayden Leon Davis Cano
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Henry Michael Hutton
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Jack Johnson
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Jackson Eric Gipe
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Jack Desmond Langseder
01/10/1996 – 10/06/2009Jack Desmond Langseder was a remarkable young man. His strength and courage never wavered during his long, hard-fought battle with Ewing’s Sarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer. Sadly, he passed away at the age of 13 on Oct. 6, 2009. Despite his illness, Jack chose to live each day to the fullest, which continued right up until his passing.
Jack was born on Jan. 10, 1996 and lead a very healthy, active life until his diagnosis in Feb. 2007. He remained very active throughout his treatment and embodied the phrase “Livestrong” and will always being remembered as being “ForeverSTRONG.”
Jack lived in Hockessin, DE and was an eighth grade student at Brandywine Springs School in Wilmington, DE, where he had been a student since kindergarten. He was a member of the Junior National Honor Society and even when he could not attend school, he diligently continued to complete his school assignments at home.
Jack was an avid sports fan and particularly loved baseball and football. He played baseball for the Piedmont Little League in Hockessin, DE every spring and fall since he was five years old. He continued to play the sport he loved so dearly even while he was in treatment.
Jack’s participation in a clinical trial researching a new, non-chemotherapy drug for the treatment of Ewing’s Sarcoma afforded him many opportunities that may not have been possible for him. For this reason, the Jack Langseder ForeverSTRONG Foundation is dedicated to the support of such research and clinical trials, as well as raising awareness about this disease.
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Jackson Parker Schneider
11/06/2000 – 8/03/2009Jackson is loved by many, and left an impression on just about everyone that had any encounters with him! He was diagnosed with stage 4 Neuroblastoma in June of 2006 at age 5, after weeks of not knowing what was wrong with him and being treated for what doctors thought was a bone infection. When we got the news we were devastated. Jackson took it in stride. When he was told he had cancer, his reaction was just matter of fact and “we will do what we have to, to get me better!” He endured 6 rounds of chemotherapy, stem cell harvesting, major surgery to remove his tumor from his abdomen, and countless blood transfusions all in the first 6 months of treatment. Jackson also underwent a bone marrow transplant and antibody therapy for an additional 6 months after that. There were many times he was hospitalized for low blood counts and fevers and he took it all in stride for the most part. He rarely complained unless something was really hurting him.
We were able to enjoy June of 2007 through May 2008 of Jackson being cancer free! In June of 2008 he started getting headaches and we had him checked out. It was found that the beast had returned and was now affecting his brain. After gamma knife surgery and weeks of total cranial and spinal radiation, we travelled to New York City for surgery to remove the tumors and more experimental treatment. It went well.
Then in December, more bad news, the cancer was back again. Now, our options were becoming limited. We opted to take him to Vermont for a promising new treatment there. The day after Christmas our family flew out to Vermont to have Jackson evaluated and start treatment. He again, responded very well with just a few hiccups in the road. We were all ecstatic. He had been hospitalized off and on with some coughing issues that were believed to be pneumonia. He always recovered from these episodes. Late in July 2009 Jackson developed a cough that wouldn’t go away and it was causing his breathing to be very labored. We took him by ambulance to our home hospital and he was hospitalized.
This hospital stay was excruciating. Jackson was not getting better, and the doctors couldn’t figure out why. Countless scans, test, blood, urine, you name it. It finally came down to having to intubate Jackson to help take the burden off his little body from trying too hard to breathe and to do a biopsy of his lung. It was determined that Jackson had a fungal lung infection. Things just went downhill from here. Our family decided to remove all artificial life support from Jackson and let him go peacefully to be in Heaven. As I held him in my arms and with his dad and two sisters at his side, he took his last breath at 9:08 am on August 3, 2009. He was 8 years old. We miss him terribly every single day.
Jackson loved life. He loved Legos and Star Wars! He loved playing practical jokes on his mom and sisters! Once as a chaplain was leaving Jackson’s room from a visit, the chaplain said, “May God be with you!” Jackson replied, “May the force be with YOU!” Always a comedian! We love you Jackson and we can’t wait see you again!
Love FOREVER AND ALWAYS, Mom, Dad, Hilary, and Hannah
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Jacob Baker
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Jacob Saul Duarte
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Jalen Matthew Thayer
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Jalene Estella Salinas
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James Christopher Lawrence
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Jamison Bennett Watters
9/13/2007 – 10/23/2009Jamison Bennett was a loving, energetic, happy 2 year old who and was rarely seen without a huge smile which lit up the world. He adored his big brother, Ty, and was determined to do everything that he was doing. He was walking (practically running) by the time he was 9 months old.
He was a very curious child and was constantly getting into things he shouldn’t and could easily destroy a clean room in no time at all. We were blessed with two healthy happy years with him, and then shortly after his 2nd birthday our worlds were turned upside down. Jamison had always been a klutz, but we began noticing bruises in unusual places, like all over his back. He became increasingly tired, and his belly became distended, he began refusing food, which was completely out of character. We took him to the doctor who told us he was fine and we were just being paranoid, but my mommy instinct told me different. We took him for a second opinion and our biggest fears were confirmed. We were told that Jamison had Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.
We were told that he had an 85% cure rate, and we knew he would beat it, but the treatment was just too hard on his little body. Eighteen days after diagnosis, Jamison developed an infection due to his weakened immune system and passed away suddenly in my arms. Words cannot express how truly special Jamison was and what huge void has been left in our lives without him. We miss every second of every day, but we have drawn comfort in knowing that he is no longer in pain. We know that God has a bigger plan for our little man, and even though his time on earth was way too short his smile and story will forever continue to touch and change lives.
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Jamison Powell
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Jayla Marie Hunt
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Jayson Matthew Cameron
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Jazmine Rae Cope
8/10/1996 – 11/26/2010Jazmine was born in York on August 10, 1996, and was currently in the 9th grade at Spring Grove Area High School. She was a member of the girl's volleyball team since she was in 7th grade. She also played volleyball for the SGGVC. Jazmine loved singing and dancing and was very passionate about helping the Penn State Dance-A-Thon in its battle to fight pediatric cancer.
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Jazmyn Suzanne Piedra