Sad News

It is with great sadness that I have to tell all of you that little Cru has left the world. Ken and Michelle lost Cru on Sunday night.

It's very hard to put into words what this all means right now, but I'll do my best.

I'd first like to start by saying it is an honor and pleasure to be able to support Cru and his battle against SMA. When I first started this, I did it with the intention of doing anything I could to help Michelle, Ken and Cru and their families.

As of right now, babies diagnosed with SMA Type 1 don't have much of a chance. I felt that if there was a way we could raise money to help the funding of SMA research, we could possibly prevent even just one family from having to go through what Ken and Michelle and their families have gone through and are going through right now. I sincerely appreciate all of your support and your continued support of my running for Cru.

When a baby is diagnosed with SMA Type 1, it's devastating. The joy and happiness that comes with having a baby turns into sadness after learning that the child only has a limited time to live. This beautiful baby which couples have dreamed about forever won't be around very long. Ken and Michelle and their families have shown incredible strength throughout this difficult time. I am amazed every day to find Ken in good spirits. His strength has been unbelievable. It seemed like Ken and Michelle came to terms with the diagnosis and pledged to cherish and value every day they got to spend with Cru while he was still here.

My wife Tiffany and I had the pleasure of meeting Cru one time. As you can tell by the pictures, he's an incredibly cute baby. He was a glowing little boy that day and I feel extremely lucky to have met him. I know Tiffany feels the same way. It really doesn't make sense why this beautiful child had to get this horrible disease.

As more and more money started coming in to help fight SMA, I got the feeling of being part of something much greater than anything I have ever been a part of. The story and love of this little boy has brought people together. You couldn't help but see the growing dollar amount at the top of the firstgiving site and in the sidebar here. You couldn't help but feel like you are making a huge difference, no matter what size the donation was.

I had accepted the fact that while it was too late to really help Cru and his fight against SMA, this is a great cause and no one should have to go through what he has had to go through. In the back of my mind, I had always naively hoped that Cru would somehow get better and there would be some kind of breakthrough in SMA research that would give Cru another shot at life that he deserved so much. I never expected that to happen, but I always hoped.

It's that same hope that drives people and gets people out of bed to face those tough days or to do things that they though they couldn't. While that hope can briefly leave when the awful news comes that Cru has lost this battle, it has to live in everyone else just like Cru's spirit always will.

And it will. Cru may be gone but his spirit and the memories of him will live forever. Rest in peace little Cru. You're in a better place now, you'll always be loved and we'll all miss you.

Please keep Ken, Michelle and Cru in your thoughts and prayers. And enjoy these great pictures of Cru. Thanks again for all of your support.