The Austen Everett Foundation

05/27/2026

AEF Hero - Ryder - The Power of Sport

Anyone who has been touched by adolescent cancer knows the heart of these fighters, and nobody fights harder and inspires more than Ryder.

Defined by motion, intensity, and brotherhood, 15-year-old Ryder is pure kinetic energy—fast, explosive, and fearless. An all-in athlete, he lives for basketball, competition, and roughhousing with friends. The court is his sanctuary, where the rhythmic pound of the dribble, the heart of competition, and the daily grind fuel his relentless drive to improve. He shows up, pushes through fatigue, and comes back stronger after every setback.

Then one challenge he never saw coming: a lump on his thigh that led to a Hodgkin lymphoma diagnosis. Overnight, his world narrowed to surgeries, chemotherapy, steroids, and months of treatment. A weakened immune system stole the everyday freedoms most teenagers take for granted—playing sports, attending school, hanging out with friends, and living without constant fear of infection.

But Ryder is a fighter. He refuses to let cancer define him. With a stubbornly positive mindset and fierce determination, he faces each day head-on. Determined to reclaim his strength and future, he transformed his habits: clean eating, a home gym, and a growing interest in medicine. He trains both body and mind with the same intensity he once brought to the basketball court—building a stronger, wiser, and more purposeful version of himself.

To others battling the same fight, his simple advice is this: “Stay strong, bro—you got this.”

Through it all, Ryder proves that no battle is too tough for a champion's unbreakable spirit.

Ryder’s full story: https://drive.google.com/file/d/11AWHpjiWfG-Q9e-SK1XSITOMB2IwFP61/view?usp=sharing

05/12/2026

AEF Hero - Nevaeh - The Power of Sport

Tiny yet mighty, Nevaeh proves that the fiercest warriors sometimes come in the smallest packages.

At just one year old, while battling pneumonia, COVID, and RSV, she was also diagnosed with an extremely rare and aggressive form of leukemia—enduring 56 rounds of high-dose chemotherapy, ICU stays, and months of isolation.

Yet through every challenge, her sassy spirit and endless optimism made her seem almost invincible. Refusing to slow down, Nevaeh continued riding her bike, playing soccer, and pursuing her passion for karate—a sport that became a source of strength, confidence, and renewed control during the hardest moments of her fight.

Now three years later, Nevaeh remains unstoppable, though the effects of treatment still linger. When asthma forced her to step away from the mat, she refused to give up. Inspired by The Karate Kid, she still practices her favorite moves, determined to one day return. Her message to other kids is simple yet powerful: “Never ever give up.”

Today, Nevaeh now pours her boundless energy into art—drawing, painting, and sculpting with Play-Doh—while waiting for her body to regain the strength needed to receive the immunizations required to start school.

More than a survivor, Nevaeh is a tiny powerhouse of courage and hope—proving that true champions are defined not by their size, but by the strength of their spirit and refusal to quit.

Nevaeh’s full story: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1YB2boBbgRS-RhQoK6QzaWYJ5gXh0vJ5l/view?usp=sharing

04/29/2026

AEF Hero - Heath - The Power of Sport

Explosive, driven, and fiercely competitive, sixteen-year-old Heath is a natural athlete who stands out in every arena he enters. A dynamic force in the outfield, he attacks the game with blazing speed, sharp instincts, and fearless aggression. His approach is anchored in the toughness of a varsity wrestler—built on grit, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of the win.

Off the field, his greatest strength is loyalty. For over a decade, he has competed alongside the same core teammates, building rare trust and chemistry. A devoted Seattle Mariners fan, he studies stars like Julio Rodríguez and Randy Arozarena, always pushing to elevate his game.

Athletes are built to push through pain—but when persistent headaches refused to respond to medication, Heath knew this was different. An MRI revealed a rare malignant germ cell tumor that evolved into sarcoma and spread beyond its origin.

Treatment was immediate—chemotherapy followed by major surgery. True to the mindset forged through sport, there was no hesitation: no choice—just do it. The same competitor who never backed down from a challenge lowered his head and charged into the fight of his life.

Social, quick-witted, and sharp, Heath has made a lasting impact on his community— and that community has rallied around him in return. Teammates, coaches, and classmates stand firmly by his side. As Coach Richardson put it, "Hey, you're not in this alone, right? We've got your back.”

The journey has not been easy. Uprooted from home, Heath misses the laughter-filled chaos of family life, his teammates, school, and the everyday rhythm of being a teenager. Yet through it all, a powerful appreciation for life has emerged—fueling a fierce determination to embrace every moment to the fullest.

Today, Heath continues to fight like the champion he was born to be — encouraging every kid in the fight with one simple message: "Don't give up — keep pushing forward.”

Heath's full story: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1SfNsyVkyNPCLr6-D0XEU3TzqZMNJFg3b/view?usp=sharing

04/14/2026

AEF Hero - Matthew - The Power of Sport

Inspired by his idol Lionel Messi, eight-year-old Matthew lives for soccer. He made his mark on his school team before joining club soccer, where he thrives on defense while dreaming of surging downfield to score. He treasures the camaraderie and friendships forged on the field most of all.

Off the field, his boundless energy keeps him racing through the neighborhood on his bike or scooter, practicing karate, or tossing the football with his older brothers. Always in motion, Matthew treats every day like game day - ready, excited, and all in.

What began as stubborn flu-like symptoms soon became something far more serious. A CT scan revealed a tumor in his left lung, ultimately leading to a diagnosis of leukemia. In an instant, his carefree world was turned upside down.

Chemotherapy began immediately, bringing long hospital stays and isolation. His greatest battles were emotional: missing soccer and his teammates, time with friends, and losing his hair. Yet through it all, he never lost his spark - choosing bravery each and every day.

Naturally happy, positive, and creative, he channels his energy into building intricate Lego cars and dinosaurs, drawing, and staying connected through online gaming. His dream of returning to the field still burns bright. As Messi says, "You can overcome anything if, and only if, you love something enough.”

Matthew presses toward his comeback with quiet strength — encouraging every kid in the fight with one simple message:
"Don't be scared — always be brave.”

Real champions aren't made by victories. They're made by never giving up.

Matthew’s full story: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1lZgvEjBA8WN9fpkf6lpwq3mmNUFlxt_h/view?usp=sharing

03/24/2026

AEF Hero - Lydia - The Power of Sport

Strong, determined, and fiercely competitive, 15-year-old Lydia searched for her sport—dribbling basketballs, scaling rock walls—until she found her place on the water. Crew changed everything. In the boat, with eight athletes moving as one and blades slicing the water in perfect unison, she discovered the true magic of sport.

Her days were full—rigorous academics, regattas, church youth group, and Girl Scouts—until the migraines she had managed since childhood turned sinister: flashing lights, double vision, failed treatments, and misdiagnoses. Then came the answer: a golf-ball-sized mass pressing on her brain. A month-long hospitalization followed, along with seven grueling months of surgeries, chemotherapy, and radiation.

But Lydia never fought alone. Rowing teaches that when a crew moves in unison, individual strength multiplies—and her team proved exactly that. Texts, care packages, and cards poured in. Her coach shaved his head in solidarity. Teammates and friends dyed strands of their hair Lydia’s favorite color, blue. Even Olympic medalist Evan Olson sent a personal video message, dedicating a workout to her fight.

Mentally tough and relentlessly determined, Lydia pushes herself every day to rebuild her mobility, driven by one goal: returning to her seat in the boat. As her mother says, "She won't let anything stand in her way; if she can't find a way, she'll make one.”

True champions don’t just endure adversity—they chart their own course forward.

Lydia's full story: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TYbcFvyPh863GROfXSzhh84grrtCkiJI/view?usp=sharing

03/11/2026

AEF Hero - Hunter - The Power of Sport

High-energy and fiercely competitive, 13-year-old Hunter excels wherever speed, strength, and skill are demanded. A dynamic multi-sport athlete—basketball, flag football, dirt biking, and four-wheeling—wherever there's action, Hunter is all in. Driven by competition and camaraderie, he plays with a champion’s mindset, whether shooting hoops, or trout fishing with his brother. His ultimate sports moment came when he broke free for a touchdown, punctuated by a triumphant ball slam in celebration.

Outgoing and sharp-minded, this seventh-grade jokester tackled life with ease—until a snowmobile accident left him with a dislocated shoulder. Weeks passed with no improvement. An ER visit delivered the unexpected news: high-risk leukemia (ALL). In that moment, Hunter's high-energy world transformed.

Prolonged hospital stays, chemo, and allergic reactions to medications pushed him to his limits, and the hardest part was missing "normal"—friends, sports, school, and simply being a teenager. Yet, the powerful bonds of sport lifted him. Four teammates shaved their heads in solidarity, his baseball team wore orange bracelets in his honor, and after dedicating every game to him, they presented him with the game ball and team trophy—proof he never fights alone.

On the toughest days, music carries him forward, while Snapchat and gaming keep him connected with the teammates and friends who stand by his side.

Drawing from that same team spirit that lifted him, Hunter now encourages other Kids in the fight with three simple words: "You got this…”

From the struggle, a fiercer resilience has emerged—one that refuses to break. And when Hunter steps back on the field, he'll be unstoppable, carrying the quiet strength of a champion who has already won the hardest game of all.

Hunter's full story: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1cSlKAty3Bx0GM-Sg5Hs_SADVPXnS2pBn/view?usp=sharing

02/27/2026

AEF Hero - Morgan - The Power of Sport

A dominant force in the pitcher’s circle, Morgan emerged as her high school’s slow-pitch softball ace, anchoring the diamond her junior and senior years. Her teams reached state each season and claimed three King County championships. A standout in both slow- and fast-pitch, she was drawn to slow-pitch’s distinctive rhythm and strategic depth.

Known as the “aggressive redhead,” she delivered fierce intensity with calm command—dictating pace, momentum, and outcome. Her greatest edge was mental toughness: “You have to get into your head—keep your brain strong to pitch good,” she says, transforming pressure into triumphs. Team camaraderie meant everything—especially her clutch grand slam on Senior Night in her final home game.

Jaw pain surfaced in March, escalating to swelling and numbness by summer. Misdiagnoses delayed answers. Fall ushered in new beginnings-- freshman year at the University of Washington, dorm life, new friendships, and her pursuit of marine biology. But relentless pain led to scans that revealed rare rhabdomyosarcoma, a nerve sheath tumor in her jaw. College paused for chemotherapy, radiation, and upcoming spring surgery.

Through it all, Morgan remains steadfast: “I’m not going to stress about the things I cannot control.” She fights cancer the way she pitched—calm, focused, unbreakable—believing, “Find ways to stay positive—it gives your body a better chance.”

Happiest when surrounded by friends, family, and the softball field that always felt like home, she holds tight to connection. ”Not being around people makes it harder," she says, "but stay connected—you’re not alone; it’s their fight too." That enduring sense of team—the knowledge that others stand beside her—carries her forward with the grace, grit, and courage of the champion she has always been.

Morgan’s Story: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1sISsmwLalMbachr_2aSbStxTTR9X61KM/view?usp=sharing

02/17/2026

AEF HERO - Ivan - The Power of Sport

A fierce competitor with over a decade of soccer experience, 17-year-old Ivan radiates strength, intelligence, and natural charisma through his deep passion for sport. His dedication has forged a relentless drive to win—whether commanding the soccer pitch, basketball court, downhill slopes, rock faces, or the fast-paced futsal, he meets every challenge head-on with fierce determination.

Once unstoppable, Ivan balanced high school, competitive athletics, a vibrant social life, and a job that kept him close to the game. As graduation approached and college plans took shape, his future was filled with promise and opportunity—until a minor health concern revealed a devastating diagnosis: rhabdomyosarcoma.

“Remarkably strong and brave,” his mother says, in awe of his courage. The normalcy Ivan once knew has given way to a new and challenging reality, where everyday pleasures—like enjoying a cheeseburger—now come with restrictions, yet his wisdom surpasses his years. Borrowing from his own playbook, he encourages others in the fight: “Take it one day at a time and stay positive.”

Ivan has always been drawn to winners and inspired by athletes who rise above hardship. He admires Luis Díaz, forward for both the Colombian National Team and Liverpool—whose journey from adversity to international success parallels Ivan’s own philosophy of perseverance and grit.

Now, Ivan fights cancer the same way he has faced every opponent: head-on, with fierce resolve and total commitment. The hard-won lessons earned through years of sport guide him through chemotherapy, surgeries, and long hospital stays. His story stands as a powerful testament to the heart of a fighter and the spirit of a champion—proof that the Power of Sport can carry him through even life’s toughest battles.



Read More About Ivan’s Story: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1i8slel9TDEl44eJQumoFM1XhBYl6BEh-/view?usp=sharing

02/11/2026

01/30/2026

AEF HERO - Desirae - The Power of Sport

Tiny but mighty, Desirae is a bubbly, feisty toddler bursting with unstoppable energy—a pint-sized powerhouse of personality. She took her first steps on her first birthday and hasn’t slowed down: early-morning somersaults, spontaneous dance parties, crayon-fueled masterpieces, backyard expeditions and the bustling daycare social scene.

Her vibrant, bubbly world burst one ordinary preschool day. Teachers noticed a lump in her stomach, unusual fussiness, and persistent crying, prompting a frantic hospital visit. What doctors first suspected as a Wilms tumor became a heartbreaking diagnosis: stage 4 rhabdoid tumor—an extremely rare, aggressive cancer that had already spread to her lungs.

Surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and long hospital stays followed. Yet Desirae faced every challenge with the same fearless heart and radiant spark that makes her unstoppable.

Life at the Transplant House is a whole new ballgame for this playful one-year-old dynamo. She misses her family—along with her furry pals, Kitty and
Bentley, her preschool buddies, and those epic outdoor escapades. Still, her spunky spirit remains in full gear, undeterred by medical hurdles that have temporarily sidelined her athletic pursuits.

Smart, strong, joyful, and resilient, Desirae transforms ordinary moments into extraordinary ones. Her limitless imagination and champion’s heart remind us that the mightiest victories often come from the smallest warriors, and with every step forward, she lights a radiant path of hope, healing, and heroic tomorrows.

Desirae’s full story: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mJMIFtSfo0esX4rTpUdiIQ0K-_yjImLH/view?usp=sharing