Most people in Rockford have heard the story of a beautiful blue-eyed girl named Sydney Ives whose fight with cancer at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital inspired thousands around the World. Since her death in 2009, Sydney's family has been continuing her legacy with Love You More - A Sydney Ives Foundation, but recently decided they need to close this chapter to do more good in Sydney's name.

Since 2008, Sydney Ives and her amazing family have been a part of my heart and life. I will never forget the first time I met Sydney and her Mom Tasha. I had just arrived to our annual St. Jude Radiothon at the Cherryvale Mall and listened to this incredible mother-daughter duo sing Martina McBride on the radio.  I listened to their stories and followed Sydney's incredible cancer battle. I was constantly amazed by Sydney's faith and positive outlook in the face of such a grim diagnosis. I cried reading Tasha's words in the final days of Sydney's life, and I was there as this community said our final goodbyes to a beautiful child of God way too soon.

In the years since Sydney passed, Tasha, Dean and Carson Ives have done amazing work in Sydney's name. They have paid the generosity they received during Sydney's illness forward big time through their foundation, but have recently decided it is time to change the avenue of their good-doing.

 

 

It's a honor to know this amazing family, and I look forward to many more years of spreading Sydney's story and St. Jude's work together. Please consider making a donation to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital today in memory of Sydney Ives. You can also support Dean's team for the St. Jude Marathon here. Thank you.


 

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