May 22, 2008 — January 9, 2025
Diagnosed: Nov. 13, 2023
Written by Jayden’s family
Jayden was an inspiring young man who touched the lives of all who had the privilege to know him. He was a happy, good-hearted, and a fun-loving kid who loved life. From the time he was a little boy, we knew that he was special. Jayden was a perfectionist in everything he did. He was fiery and stubborn, but he knew what he wanted and fought hard to achieve it. He was incredibly witty and had an insatiable curiosity and quest for learning.
Jayden played baseball and basketball from the time he was 3 years old. He enjoyed working out and training in mixed martial arts. He was a straight A student and had extraordinary intellectual promise. We always joked that Jayden was the smartest one in the family, including his parents. He maintained a 4.2 GPA throughout his DIPG diagnosis during sophomore year. He insisted on continuing his advanced classes, including Calculus, English and Chemistry. As he continued Junior year, he kept up his rigorous academics, advancing in Calculus.
Jayden was a supportive and kindhearted son, brother and friend. He was humble and displayed humility. He was always there for his friends and family when they were having a bad day and knew how to make it better. His simple but kind actions made us a better person. Throughout his DIPG journey, he was more worried about his family than himself.
Jayden lived his life through his motto of “no excuses.” When it came to courage, nobody was stronger. His courage and heart were truly mind-blowing. He won his last MMA fight in early 2023. However, Jayden was not only a fighter in MMA but also a true warrior in life. He was dedicated to getting stronger and working out during his battle with DIPG. He never complained.
Jayden was diagnosed with DIPG on Nov 13, 2023. During high school basketball practice, he starting to have difficulty controlling the ball with his right hand. While sparring at MMA, he noticed that he had no power behind his punch. A few days later, Jayden was diagnosed with DIPG. He soon learned that there was no cure. He was immediately transported to MD Anderson for radiation followed by enrollment in Seattle Children’s CAR-T Cell immunotherapy clinical trial in Apr 2024.
Throughout all his treatment at MD Anderson and Seattle Children’s, Jayden continued to display an amazing sense of motivation and determination to fight his cancer. His strength and positivity in the face of an incurable cancer captured the hearts of everyone around him. He continually amazed his physicians, providers and PT/OT therapists. Unfortunately, after his 8th immunotherapy treatment in Aug 2024, an MRI showed an increase in tumor size and inflammation that put pressure on his cranial nerves causing difficulty swallowing. He returned to MD Anderson in Oct 2024 for a 2nd round of radiation and the ONC201 clinical trial. In Jan 2025, Jayden finally returned home; however, he was not improving. Although Jayden was no longer able to verbally communicate or see out of his left eye, lost complete use of his right arm, and could no longer walk, Jayden maintained his will to exercise and fight. Ultimately, the tumor took Jayden after a hard and determined fight. He took his last breath surrounded by his mother, father, older brother, and dog while watching his favorite anime show “One Piece”.
Jayden’s passing was a loss of a bright and very promising life, leaving an enormous hole in our hearts that can never be filled. He touched so many lives throughout his amazing 16 years. At his viewing and funeral, there was standing room only. People from all walks of life, family, friends, classmates, teachers, coaches, fighters, and firemen, came to say their goodbyes. Jayden will always be remembered as an amazing young man with inspirational courage, who always sought to do right, cared for and included everyone, and loved his family. His passing is heartbreaking. Jayden will be greatly missed but never forgotten.
