My name is Abby and I have been following Ty's story for a while now. I just wanted to let you know how truly inspiring you and your family are. I was blind to the world of childhood cancer until the song "Ronan" came out and I began following Maya's blog, and then came across yours and was astonished to find a story so close to my home town on Long Island. I have become so interested and inspired in this cause. I am a junior occupational therapy student at the University of Scranton, and now aspire to be a pediatric OT, my goal in life is to help kids live the best life possible for them. I have kept Ty and your family in my prayers constantly, and I know that you have received signs from Ty, so I just wanted to let you know I'm pretty sure I got one too! Unfortunately, I never had the pleasure of meeting your superhero.  But I want you to know that I was babysitting yesterday (it was an overcast day), and the little girl I was watching wanted to have a pool

Instinctively, most people retreat from threats.  Fortunately, the best among us confront them.  For all those who put their life on the line in defense of freedom.  And for all those who have paid the ultimate price.  We honor your courage and are indebted to your sacrifice.  May we always remember the heavy cost of freedom by never forgetting those who paid for it.   INTO THE BREACH A Memorial Day Tribute This video linked above features my friend, Brad, Christina's husband.  He is a soldier who fought for years in Afghanistan.  He fought for you and me, for Christina's brother Andrew, and for all the others who perished with him on 9/11.  In the video you can see that Brad is wearing his SuperTy bracelet on his wrist and it brought me to tears when I noticed it.  He hasn't taken it off since the day we first met in August 2010. He is a special person and I am so thankful for him and all of the amazing men who fight/have fought for our freedom.    This memo

“I wanna be remembered as a kid that went down fighting.   That didn’t really lose.” – Zach Sobiech. If there is one thing I am certain of, any child who dies of cancer is remembered as a fighter.   They don’t lose.   Cancer loses.   And we lose - the ones that are left behind.   The cancer dies with their bodies but these beautiful, innocent, most holy of all souls live on in our hearts for an eternity.   Their stories of strength, triumph and tragedy inspire others to live theirs to the fullest.   To hug their children tighter and to cherish more the gifts they are given.   I just pray more people can see the love and beauty that surrounds these kids during their fight instead of turning a blind eye to the immeasurable sadness because it’s too hard to imagine.   Life is sad.   Life is so sad and so hard for so many people.   Bad sh*t happens, sometimes really bad sh*t, and none of us are immune.   It is just so important that we raise awareness and more people start

Many thanks to our friends at Be Your Own You for developing a unique line of clothing in honor of Ty and all children battling cancer.  They are sold for a limited time only and today is the last day, so please be sure to get yours while you can!  For every item sold, $7 is donated to the Ty Louis Campbell Foundation for childhood cancer research.  Thank you!! Jumping in muddy puddles is the one thing Ty asked to do when he was "all bedda."  For Ty and all the children who don't get to enjoy the childhood they so deserve - be sure to jump in puddles, throw glitter in the air, give piggy back rides to bed and choose finger paints instead of crayons. http://beyourownyou.org

Lou and I returned home from Dallas after an incredible fundraiser late last night.  We had a wonderful weekend, we met some extraordinary people with bigger hearts than you can imagine, and we came home feeling inspired.  Then today happened, and it feels like the high from the pleasant balloon ride we enjoyed over the weekend didn't just pop - it burst into flames.  Everything is okay with the Campbell's but there has been a lot of bad news in general that leaves me in a funk tonight.  Months ago, soon after Ty passed away, I posted this now famous video of Zach Sobiech singing his original song, Clouds.  I fell head over heels in love with him and his family, instantly.  In his video you could watch his mom beam with pride as she whispers along and I felt like we were the same person.  Living in parallel.  Such love, pride, fear and sadness over the loss/pending loss of our sons.  God, there is a spot on the video at 2:56 where his mom mouths the words "it won't

Mother's Day was a very difficult day for me.  I spent a lot of time outside, alone with Ty.  It was terribly sad and I never welcomed a Monday more.  I'm glad it's behind me and I managed to get through it without doing anything crazy.  I love the bleeding hearts that Debi bought for me as a gift.  I planted them under Ty's tree and it is so very appropriate (all the red leaves came in and it looks so beautiful - thank you friend). Meet Batman Ty Maybe it is time to seek some kind of sibling therapy for Gavin.  He hasn’t had any crying fits lately, he hasn’t been sad or emotional whatsoever, but some of his behavior has Lou and I getting very sad and emotional for him. It started two nights ago.  About an hour before bedtime, he started carrying around his giant Batman toy.  It is his only toy that is probably most like a real little person.  Now he calls him Batman Ty.  This was a gift to Ty when we first moved to Pawling and he has been a staple in the playroom

I was just walking by Gavin's room and I overheard him saying something about angels so I stopped at the doorway to listen.  He was in bed in the dark with Lou, and I heard him telling Lou: "I wish he could have weeeeal wings like an Angel and then he could fwwy (fly) down to our house.  Not Angel from X-Men.  Not the superhero Angel.  I wish he could be a weeeal angel."  Obviously, we know who he was talking about.  He didnt sound sad.  He was just saying this in a very matter-of-fact manner.  He simply wishes his brother could fly down and visit him.  For no real reason, we have all had some very emotional days lately.  Thursday, especially.  I was so sad while driving to Gavin’s school to pick him up.  I was coming from a meeting in Valhalla and I was traveling on the Bronx River Pwy through the same stretch that I used to drive home with Ty every day last summer when he was attending school at Blythedale.  It was the first time I ever drove that pretty route wit

You all know that jumping in muddy puddles was the thing that Ty Campbell wanted to do most when he was “all bedda.”   He had just turned five when he lost his battle to pediatric brain cancer six short months ago after fighting more than two years. Ty captured the hearts of thousands, and since he passed away, those followers have posted thousands of photographs chronicling times when they have stepped back to let their kids enjoy messy, carefree fun in Ty’s honor. I can’t tell you how happy it makes me knowing that kids are having more fun in honor of my son, and it gives me better perspective on losing him to this horrific disease. I’m reflecting on all of this, because The TLC Foundation and The Muddy Puddles Project inspired an incredible crew at the Children’s Entertainment Network (CEN) to team up with us.   Nickelodeon Star Cymphonique has followed Ty’s story and through the CEN, she has helped launch a line of “Signature Series” apparel within their B-YOU(Be Your O

There is nothing I can say.  These pictures say it all.  Healthy.  Beautiful.  Oh. So. Perfect.     At Ty's memorial, our friends Marc and Andrea handed Lou a thumb drive.  They said they had some pictures from when they came and stayed with us in Long Beach a few years ago.  We had it sitting on our "Project Treasure" box ever since, and we didn't get around to uploading the pictures until now.  You can only imagine the joy and heartache this brings.  I am so incredibly in love with this baby boy.  He is pure perfection.  How did this happen?  Where is he now?  My baby.  I love you, I miss you so so very much.  Don't miss me, I'll see you tomorrow.    Always be this happy.       

The Ty Louis Campbell Foundation is growing at a rapid pace, and we are so proud.  We have an incredible staff of dedicated volunteers and a spectacular group of interns, but we still need help.  We are looking to hire additional staff who can commit a significant amount of time per week.  However, as a nonprofit organization we are choosing not to offer any salaries.  Lou and I want to maintain a 100% volunteer-based organization as long as possible, so that we can promise every penny of every dollar donated continues to go directly to childhood cancer research.  We are looking to fill two positions.  This would be a truly rewarding passion project for someone who has the time but doesn’t require the income.  We are accepting resumes for the positions and applicants must be able to commit a minimum of 20 hours per week, 15 of which will be working out of the office in Carmel, NY.  Applicants must be proficient in MS Office (including Excel).   Daily tasks will include marketing and

Another little boy lost his battle with brain cancer today.  His name is James and he was JUST LIKE TY.  I fell in love with him and followed him closely since the very first time I saw his picture.  I told his mom that I always end my prayers to Ty by saying "I love you.  I miss you so much.  Don't miss me, though, because you'll see me tomorrow."  I like to imagine a day in the life of a grieving mom is only a nanosecond in the realm of eternity where our children are, so for them, it really is as if we'll see them tomorrow.  My greatest fear from the day we learned of Ty's diagnosis was a vision of having to let go of his hand.  Won't he be so lost and worried without me?  Now I find comfort thinking that in the bigger picture it's as simple as: I'll see him tomorrow.  He is okay. James is okay.  It's just us poor moms left behind to keep dragging our feet through our days.  We help each other, though.  You help us, too.  Thank you.