Good-bye "Awesome Tyler"

 

My heart is broken as I have to announce the passing of our sweet Tyler Smith. This world has lost a true light! Through his valiant example and Christ-like disposition many were touched right to the very core...I am one of those souls! I am grateful beyond belief to say that I knew and loved Tyler in this life and am grateful for the knowledge that I have that our association will go on forever! He was a powerful advocate here and his power has just increased as he watches over his dear family. 

I hope we can all recommit to life as Tyler committed to life...FIGHT TO THE FINISH and literally do ANYTHING FOR A FRIEND. I love you my incredible friend! Rest in the peace that only the Savior can offer.

 

https://www.anythingforafriend.com/help-your-friend/tyler-smith/

 

Tyler Smith F2TF

 

Event Totals!

 

Tyler's event has been special right from the get go!  The love, energy, and hope brought to the process by the Organizing Committee has been absolutely contagious!  What an incredible group of people, with hearts to match!  Thank you sweet friends from all of your time, talents, and efforts in bringing this event to life...and what a life it had!

Many of you have been waiting for the preliminary totals for Tyler's event, and I say preliminary because the support continues to come every day!  As of right now, Tyler's F2TF Event has generated"

$73,362.65

Among the other miracles that have been present in this process with Tyler, I am overwhelmed by the generosity of the hearts and souls that surround Tyler's family.  Thank you all for literally doing ANYTHING FOR A FRIEND!

SIncerely,

Becky Anderson

 

Tyler Smith

All of us have had an unexplained stomachache, so when 14 year old Tyler woke up one Sunday morning complaining about his stomach hurting him, he and his family could have never imagined that just 24 hours later they would hear the news that would bring them and the entire community to their knees! 

On May 15^th, 2011 scans and surgery at Primary Children’s would indicate that the violent stomachache was his body’s response to tumors that had spread throughout his abdomen.  Unbelievably, Tyler was diagnosed with a rare form of liver cancer called Hepatocellular Carcinoma that only affects 1 in 1 million children every year.  He immediately started treatment, which will include two aggressive rounds of chemotherapy.   If the tumors respond, they will operate to remove as many tumors as possible. 

Tyler has always been one in a million, so that part of the diagnosis was not a shock!  He has a sunny personality and a great sense of humor and is often referred to as "AWESOME". He loves to make people laugh and is full of life. He loves sports-mostly football, basketball, and golf. He loves his friends, and certainly has a lot of them! He is an example to others in so many ways. He has a huge heart and knows exactly what to do or say to brighten up your day.  He and his family do not know where this journey will take them, but Tyler is a fighter.  “We know there is nothing he can’t do and he will do it with a smile on his face.”

Just as the love and support have started to roll in, so have the bills in response to this treatment.  The Smith’s need our help as the friends and community that make up their lives, so ask yourself,  “Will I do ANYTHING FOR A FRIEND?”

**You can follow Tyler's fight at the following blog:

http://fight2thefinish.com/todays-tender-mercy/

Entry from his blog: May 25, 2011--"This week, we have been trying to spend a lot of time as a family. On Monday, we had family night and our dad shared a few scriptures with us. He shared Mormon 9:15-21. I am just going to share 20 and 21 with you:

 20 And the reason why he ceaseth to do miracles among the children of men is because that they dwindle in unbelief, and depart from the right way, and know not the God in whom they should trust.

21 Behold, I say unto you that whoso believeth in Christ, doubting nothing, whatsoever he shall ask the Father in the name of Christ it shall be granted him; and this promise is unto all, even unto the ends of the earth.

This scripture has comforted our family. Whenever we start to get scared or angry, we read this and know that if we have perfect faith in the Lord, He promises that He will give us a miracle. I know that Tyler has perfect faith in the Lord. He told us at family night that he doesn’t worry about the outcome anymore. Do you know any other 14 year old with cancer who would say that? I certainly don’t. He has perfect faith that the Lord will take care of him. Tyler is an incredible person with much more strength and maturity than those much older than him, including myself. He has had to grow up a lot this past week. Just over a week ago, he was a normal teenage boy, playing basketball, going to school, and hanging out with his friends. Now he is facing a trial that most of us could never dream of facing ourselves. Tyler is my hero and I hope to be half the person he is someday."

 

About the Event:

Event Date: July 16, 2011

Time: 5-9pm

Location:

                 Layton Commons Park

                437 N. Wasatch Dr.

                Layton, UT 84040

                

                         

Activities:

•Dinner—5:00pm

•Silent/Live Auction--Featuring Kevin Ireland

•Kid’s Corner

•Bake Sale

•Balloon Launch/”Worry Rocks”

•Entertainment

 

Balloon Launch:

We are well aware that there is an entire community that is struggling along with Tyler and his family; we will be holding a special balloon launch for Tyler at the event.  Imagine Tyler and his family in the middle of hundreds of loved ones, each holding a balloon as a symbol of their love, support, faith, and hope.  It will be a special moment for all of us to reflect on what's truly important!  We are selling balloons starting at $2/balloon and we have had balloons go for up to $400 a piece!  We would love your support and your hopeful message to place in the balloons.  Please send your message and donation to:

Anything for a Friend/Tyler Smith (specify balloons in the memo) 2573 N. 2450 E. Layton, UT. 84040

**Special thanks to theBallooneyBin for their love and support of the balloon launch!

"Worry Rocks": 

Right before Tyler started chemotherapy, he and his family members were given some very special rocks, called Worry Rocks.  These rocks are used to rub your worries into and are placed on the shelf to be taking care of by the one that created the Heavens and the earth.  They can be incredibly comforting and an outward symbol of an inner peace and faith in action.

Shortly into Tyler's journey, we began receiving messages from teens in the community that they too wanted a Worry Rock!  We have had several hundred Worry Rocks donated to help support Tyler.  You can purchase your rock at Tyler's event.

Pre-Event Activities:

1)     CARWASH FOR TYLER

*The Carwash was an incredible success! Thank you for all who participated and special thanks to Patriot Car Wash who's unselfishness resulted in incredible funds and a smile on sweet Tyler's face, which is absolutely priceless!

Where: PATRIOT CAR WASH

            1475 E. HIGHWAY 193

            LAYTON UT, 84040

 When:  FRIDAY JULY 8^TH

**FROM 11a.m.-3p.m. During those 4 hours ALL 100% of the cost of washing cars goes to help Tyler.  However, proceeds that Patriot Car Wash makes throughout the whole day 20% will go to Tyler.  SOOOOO….if you can make it come from 11a.m.-3p.m.

Cost:   $15 for wash, vacuum, and detail inside and out

             $10 for just the wash

2)       Lori Ezzell is coordinating a ZUMBA EVENT. 

*This is going to be a blast!  There are already 110 attending and 62 possibles.  This will not be something that you want to miss!  Thank you Lori and all that are organizing this portion of the event...so many incredible people...so little time! ;)

Details:

Friday, July 15^th

Adams Elementary

2200 E Sunset Drive, Layton

Doors open @ 5:40 pm  ...Party Starts @ 6:00 pm

$8 Donation in advance   $10 Donation at the door *cash or check

Water Bottles will be sold for $1

 

          If you have any questions contact Lori:

          lezzell@comcast.net, 801-643-5558.  Thanks!

 

Organizing Committee Meeting:

We will be holding meetings every Thursday until the event.  The next meeting is July 14th at 6pm at the Oakforest Church House in Layton.  *Directions to the church:  Head East on Antelope to 2150 E, and turn North.  Then you will turn East on 2200 N and the church is right there.  We look forward to seeing you and hearing your ideas!  For inquiries please contact Jeany Campbell, Lead Organizer at jeanycampbell@comcast.net, 801-628-8484.  See you on Thursday!

 

Neighborhood head shaving! 

*Thanks Bishop Dutton for setting this up and showing the example. Awesome!  A true display of doing Anything for a Friend!