To know Leah is to love her, in the truest sense. At just 13 years old, she was a force—dynamic, unforgettable, a canvas vibrant with shades of boundless creativity, wit, and curiosity. Her intelligence sparkles, her humor cuts through like a sunbeam, and her talents astonish. Leah’s artistry is nothing short of magic, a natural extension of her very being, woven effortlessly into every moment she spent creating, imagining, and inspiring those around her.

Even at a young age, Leah's entrepreneurial spirit blossomed, creating a successful Etsy shop, during her radiation treatments, when she was just 12. She poured her love and creativity into every piece, crafting beautiful bracelets, crystal rings, necklaces, and delicate clay pottery that felt like they held pieces of her heart. Her shop grew beyond expectations, with over 400 sales—a testament to the beauty and care she put into each item. Leah didn’t stop there; she organized her own in-person pop-up shop, inviting her community into her world to see and feel the magic of her creations firsthand. With every sale, Leah shared a piece of herself, and her talent left others inspired and uplifted.

Leah’s intellectual gifts matched her artistic talents. She was academically driven, always reaching for excellence and making the honor roll, even when life presented unimaginable challenges. She had a thirst for knowledge, a curiosity that knew no bounds, and an innate ability to see the world from perspectives that inspired those around her to think deeper, to reach higher, to be better.

Her love for us, her family, was as thoughtful and detailed as the art she created. Leah had a unique way of knowing each of us down to our core, paying attention to the details that made us who we are. Whether it was a thoughtful gift, a hand-drawn picture, or just the way she remembered small things that mattered, her gestures always came from a place of deep love and understanding. She made each of us feel seen and cherished, and she could find ways to bring out our smiles even on the hardest days. Her love wasn't just something we felt—it was woven into the fabric of our lives.

Cancer was a part of Leah’s journey, but it never defined her. She was always, always so much more than DIPG. Leah’s heart was too big, her imagination too rich, her spirit too wild to be contained by any single challenge. She met life on her terms, filling every day with an energy that demanded you take notice, that left you better for knowing her. There wasn’t a soul who didn’t feel the spark of Leah’s brilliance, the way she brought light and laughter, as if she was made to illuminate any room she entered.

Leah came into our family’s lives with a grace that bound us closer together, knitting our family with threads of comfort, love, and understanding. She filled every role she took on with warmth and healing, as if destiny had crafted her uniquely to fit and complete us. Leah was our emotional heart, a center around which we all revolved, finding strength and joy in her presence. She was there for each of us in ways no one else could be, her spirit leaving an imprint that forever makes us better, deeper, more open-hearted people.

It’s our deepest joy to share Leah with the world. We want to shout it so everyone hears, with voices hoarse and hearts full, until the world sees the rare and brilliant gift that she is. How lucky are we, after all, to know and love Leah in this lifetime? We’re committed, now and always, to celebrating her life and to supporting and uplifting families affected by pediatric cancer, ensuring that Leah’s story and her legacy reach every corner of our world.

Leah’s presence isn’t something you can simply describe; it’s an experience, a blend of love, laughter, and a passion that leaves its mark. She breathed life into our world with color and joy, and that legacy will live on in everything we do. To carry Leah’s memory forward is to honor the love and joy she gifted us, a light that continues to shine, long past her time with us.