09/02/2026
There are some nights you know you’ll carry with you forever. 🍔🍻🎉
This year’s Burger & B**r Benefit for Brain Cancer brought together 250 incredible people and raised more than $25,000... but the number that stays with me most is the number of stories, hugs, tears, memories, and moments shared together.
I’ve been trying to find the right words on what would've been Stephen's 41st birthday. And perhaps that’s fitting, because this year’s DON’T DIE campaign was all about words we can gift to someone facing cancer that can remind them they are loved, supported, seen, and never alone. This weekend, I was reminded how powerful those words, and simply showing up, can be.
I’m humbled by the connections that have forever touched me. I hugged families in the middle of their cancer journey, who have lost someone they love, or who just wanted to show up. I listened to stories of loved ones being honored, remembered, and fought for. I watched families find one another connecting through something they never would have chosen, but now understand so deeply.
That is what DON’T DIE is about. It began with a birthday card Sawyer made for Stephen, drawing a tank and writing the advice, “DON’T DIE,” inspired by a video game they played together. Those simple words became part of Stephen’s fight to stay strong during his cancer journey and, after he passed, became a promise to never stop telling his story.
This year, those words carried even more weight. At the event, I learned earlier that morning, my friend’s 8-year-old nephew, lost his life to brain cancer. My heart broke knowing that while we were preparing to gather that evening to celebrate Stephen’s life and fight for other families, another family was experiencing a loss no family should ever have to endure. We also carried them in our hearts all night, and promised they too will be remembered.
Special thank you to Jenna Jandik for helping us bring this year's DON'T DIE message to life through the power of words and reminding us that sometimes the simplest words can mean the most to someone facing cancer.
Also, thank you to Whitney Zahnd, PhD and everyone who helped remind us that statistics are people with tears, families, memories and stories behind every number.
More thank yous to the incredible people and organizations who also made Saturday possible: Bass Farms L.L.C. for welcoming us back, Northtowne Cycling & Fitness for generously donating the eBike, Lion Bridge Brewing Company for continuing to bring the DON’T DIE b**r to life, Peppercorn Food Company for feeding everyone, Modern for partnering with us and sharing their own connection to brain cancer, our silent auction team, our volunteers, RetroMix band, speakers, and every single person who donated an auction item, sponsored, purchased a ticket, bid, shared a post, or showed up.
And thank you to everyone who raised a glass with us. Stephen would have loved seeing all of you together. I hope he would be proud of what his life continues to inspire. We will keep saying the names of those we’ve lost. We will keep standing beside those who are fighting. And we will keep fighting for the next family.
Because this isn't just about remembering those we've lost. It’s about changing the story for those who may come next.
DON’T DIE ❤️
With Infinite Gratitude,
Brittney, The Stepanek Family & Your THRIVE Team
