09/25/2026
Today marks five years since the death of Pickles Group Founding Parent Ned Smith, who died at age 40 from complications of glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer.
We’re honoring Ned’s life, his legacy, and the many ways he continues to shape Pickles Group.
Last week, our board met for our annual board retreat, reflecting on five years since our organization launched in the fall of 2021. Ned was in the room with us in so many ways.
We thought about the questions Ned would have asked about the program implementation study we just wrapped up with a leading health science professor and researcher. They would have been sharp, constructive, and insightful. Ned got his own PhD at UChicago, and we think the full-circle moment of one of their researchers helping us better understand our programs would have made him proud.
We thought about the way our community is growing and the network of support we’re building. Ned’s life’s work was researching networks and the connections between people, and we know he would have had a lot to say about the way ours are growing—and the way they’re helping kids.
We thought about how the laughter, jokes, tears, and vigorous debate around the table would have energized Ned. He had a wicked sense of humor and a real kindness and warmth that made him so special.
And we thought about how we see Ned in his four kids, Finn, Beckett, Eliza, and Cecily, who continue to lead and infuse our program with his legacy in their own unique ways. His wife, Erin, continues to shape our work, too, most recently bringing her and Ned’s experience to our new “How to Talk to Kids About Advanced Cancer” toolkit.
Five years later, so much of what we’re building at Pickles Group still traces back to Ned, Erin, Finn, Beckett, Eliza, and Cecily—and to all of you who have helped carry Ned's commitment forward.
Ned died just as we were launching Pickles Group, an organization he cared deeply about and that, from the beginning, was anchored by his vision, research, and love.
We’re thinking of you, working hard to make you proud, and we love you, Ned.
Join us in remembering and celebrating Ned Smith's life and impact today. đź’š
