Ava is a 6 year old that loves to play with her friends and neighbors. She is always very happy and concerned about others around her. She LOVES princesses, especially Princess Elsa from the movie Frozen. Ava has a Sister named Audrey who is 5 years younger than her. Even though they are not close in age they love to play together. Ava crawls into Audrey’s crib every morning to be the first to say Good Morning to her! MORE
Patrick has always been special. He did not speak until after age 2 but when he did, it was in sentences. He was very contemplative as a baby and one could tell he was studying everything around him and listening to every conversation. He could initiate and hold a conversation with adults at age 3 and has always been very inquisitive and not afraid to ask questions. MORE
Brock enjoys playing with his brother, Anthony and flirting with all the nurses at clinic. Brock enjoys tearing down the buildings his buddies make, climbing, and playing close with his mom. His favorite things include chasing a ball or marble (he enjoys the loud noise it makes on the floor). MORE
Artan was diagnosed at a very young age with SCID (Severe Combined Immunodeficiency Disease, but Artan is still a happy playful 2 year old. He loves Elmo, and Sesame Street is his favorite show. When you see him, he does not look like a child who is fighting for his life every day. MORE
Recipient Stories
With your help, in December the Szott Foundation granted the Gift of Time to our 25th family, more than $275,000 in total. We focus on one family at a time, carefully evaluating their needs and circumstances. Read on to learn more about our recipients. We are excited to give the Gift of Time to more families in 2016!
William
Connor
Logan
Nevaeh
Ava
Jacob
William was diagnosed with Leukemia on March 18, 2011. He had just turned 11 years old. At the time, William loved to swim and tube on the lake with his friends, but unfortunately he is now unable to participate until his port is removed in a few years.
Connor was awarded the 16th Gift of Time for $15,000 in the summer of 2012. Connor was born with a severe classification of e-beta thalassemia which required a bone marrow transplant to cure. In 2007 he underwent his first transplant at just 20 months old.
Nevaeh and her family are the recipients of the 15th Gift of Time. Nevaeh (Heaven spelled backwards) is a four year-old little girl that is full of life and love for others. She loves watching over babies, going to Sunday school, playing at the park, baking and doing crafts. She says that when she grows up she wants to be a babysitter.
The 14th Gift of Time was awarded in December to six year-old Logan and his grandparents for $17,000. Logan was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and is receiving care at the University of Minnesota’s Amplatz Children’s Hospital. Logan is a very bright little boy that loves to read and be read to. He also enjoys math problems and helping in the kitchen to make spaghetti and cookies!
Thirteen-year-old Jacob lives with his dad, John and brother Jeremiah. Jacob and his dad spend a lot of time at the Ronald McDonald House in the twin cities as Jacob completes chemo treatments for Ewing’s Sarcoma.
The 13th Gift of Time was awarded in September to Ava's family of Becker, Minnesota for $15,000. We are thankful to be able to give a gift to them as they continue to find strength as a family in their battle against childhood cancer. Their daughter Ava, first diagnosed with ependymomy, was an amazing child that was always smiling and enjoying the little things in life. We are so sorry to inform you that Ava passed away on Saturday, May 19, 2013 at University Of MN Amplatz Children’s Hospital in Minneapolis.
Grant
Krystell
Jenna
Samantha
Seven-year-old Krystell of Inver Grove Heights, MN was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a form of bone cancer, in August 2009. She has had surgery to remove a tumor on the bone in her upper left arm, and now she is getting chemotherapy.
We were honored to award the family of Grant with $6,000 in June 2009. Grant was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in May of 2007. He began his chemotherapy in September of that year and finished it in March 2008. Grant remained cancer free until January 2009, when his doctors discovered the cancer had metastasized to both lungs. He lost his battle to osteosarcoma on July 20, 2009.
The Szott Foundation presented its seventh Gift of Time award of $10,400 to 14-year-old Jenna, her mom Jahn, and her twin sister, Marissa, of Chisago City, MN. Jenna was diagnosed in July 2008 with a rare form of childhood cancer called Rhabdomyosarcoma. Jenna went home to be with the Lord June 8, 2009 after her long and courageous battle with cancer.
The Szott Foundation was honored to present its eighth Gift of Time award of $14,000 to Samantha's family of Ogilvie, MN. Sammy was diagnosed in August 2008 with a desmoplastic small round cell tumor, which is a rare soft tissue sarcoma. Sadly, Samantha passed away on Friday, November 8, 2013 at her home in Mora. She was 17 years old.
Kyle
Alex
Cameron
Jordyn
Brooke
Elijah
The Szott Foundation presented its fourth Gift of Time award of $9,000 to Justin, Jodi and then two year old Jordyn of Pipestone, MN, in October 2008. Jordyn was diagnosed with progressive stage IV Neuroblastoma in June 2007. “She moved from her earthly home to the beautiful Kingdom of Heaven on March 20, 2014 surrounded by her family at home.”
The Szott Foundation presented its second Gift of Time award of $25,000 to Nathan, Dawn and Elijah of Janesville, IA, on May 12, 2008 at the U of M Masonic Cancer Research center in Minneapolis. Little Elijah went home to Jesus on May 21, 2008. Elijah touched many hearts in his short life and will not be forgotten by his many friends and family.
The Szott Foundation was proud to present its first Gift of Time award of $25,000 to Brooke Plemel and her family on December 15, 2007 at the Abby Invite Gymnastics Fundraiser. Brooke went home to Jesus on January 12, 2008. She was a precious “guardian angel” to many and will be loved and remembered by her many special friends and family.
The Szott Foundation presented its fifth Gift of Time award of $11,000 to Grant, Sherri and 16-year-old Kyle of Duluth, MN, in October 2008. Kyle was diagnosed with T-cell ALL, a form of leukemia, in February 2008. Kyle is an only child and he is Sherri and Grant’s miracle baby. Today, he is doing great and has graduated from the University of Minnesota Duluth.
The Szott Foundation presented its sixth Gift of Time award of $8,400 to Alex's family of Excelsior, MN, at the 2008 Abby Invite. Their oldest son, Alex, was diagnosed with stage IV Ewing’s Sarcoma in August 2008. We are saddened to announce that Alex passed away on June 4, 2010.
Evylah
Evylah was diagnosed with DIPG (a brain tumor) in November 2014 and our life changed forever. We were given a diagnosis of only 6-9 months. We are sad to report that Evylah lost her cancer battle on Saturday, October 11, 2015. Our prayers go out to her mom, dad, and sisters. She will be sorely missed. She was strong until the end. MORE
Tyler
It was with great pleasure and gratitude that the Szott Foundation was able to give $13,000 to a Tyler's family in Savage, MN. Tyler was diagnosed with a brain tumor in August 2008. Our grant allowed his father to be at home with him through his illness. Tyler lost his battle in October 2009. He left behind his mom, dad, sister Mraisa & brother Tanner.
Ellorie is now 1 year old, and is a very social baby. She has been referred to as the “Self Esteem” baby as she’ll smile at almost anyone and make you feel better. While at the hospital, she will interact with as many people as possible, and loves to babble with other kids. We often take her through the hallways in a Barbie car so she can wave at the nurses, otherwise it’s a race to the door to see who’s walking by.
The Szott Foundation presented its third Gift of Time award of $25,000 to Cameron's family of Minneapolis, MN, on July 10, 2008. A formal presentation was made to Paula and Cameron at the 2nd Annual Tournament for Time on August 16, 2008. Cameron died on September 14, 2008. His one wish for the world was that everyone be truly happy.
Carter
Carter's family received the 23rd Gift of Time. More information to come about his story.
Taylor
Future
Recipient
We recently were able to award our 25th Gift of Time to Taylor and her family in the amount of $7,000. Taylor is 14 years old and was diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma in January 2015. She lives with her dad and two sisters, Haley, age 16 and Emma, age 10. Please visit again soon to meet Taylor and learn more about her.
More information to come when the next Gift of Time is awarded.