Calvin was born in the summer of 2006; entered this world full of life and spunk.  A fun, loving and joyful little guy; always so full of light and ready for adventure. By a very early age his fun and beautiful personality shinned, he played hard and loved even harder.

Calvin loved toy cars, baseball, soccer, swimming, riding his bike, his scooter and shooting hoops; he was all boy!

Calvin also had such a beautiful soft side. He loved music, when listening to it you’d often catch him closing his eyes, it seemed as though he felt the melody to his bones. He also had a green thumb, at the age of four he took up gardening and planting anything he could get his hands on.

Weeks shy of his seventh birthday both Calvin and and his mother stood in a doctor's office and heard the words no parent ever expect to hear: "Your child has cancer". April of 2013, Calvin was diagnosed with blood cancer, and in that moment life forever changed. Shortly after, Calvin’s treatment began and so did a new life for him and his mother. As a single mother, Mary did her best to navigate it all, life was now one full of appointments, medications and countless procedures. Every day held a different obstacle, yet even after chemo appointments and procedures; we were all in awe as Calvin’s resiliency & strength.

Eventually treatment did not go as expected, which meant Calvin needed a stem cell transplant. During this tremendously long process he was the sickest he’d ever been. Still there was light at the end of the tunnel. After many weeks of endless hiccups, Calvin’s transplant was successful, and he was in remission. Our future looked bright and finally, cancer would be a thing of the past. 

In early March while playing catch, Calvin mentioned a discomfort on his chest, he was taken to the hospital as a precautionary measure. By that evening though, Calvin was in ICU. Hours became days and Calvin’s body rapidly grew tired.

Hours turned into days & more days and Calvin’s body only worsened. His lungs were severely damaged, nothing seemed to help and every hour brought unpleasant news. The days passed and Calvin was now attached to breathing machines. Once more, and for a final time the doctor sat his mother Mary down, and finally said what no parent ever wants to hear. “We have done everything we can do, and there is nothing else we can do for your son”. Calvin’s lungs were severely damaged, his body was now deteriorating and his departure was inevitable.

On the evening of March 24, 2014 Mary held Calvin in her arms as he took his last breath. Calvin now lives in our hearts, he lives in the lives we touch, in the steps we take, in the smiles we share and in the beautiful way life continues to bless our paths.

The Calvin Preston Foundation was founded by Mary; Calvin's mother to honor her son's life, his presence; further proving that loss has a way of lifting and inspiring others.

Thanks to Calvin and his life, many children and families can find comfort, knowing they are not alone.