Freddie’s Story
Live like Freddie
You are Brave. You are Strong.
You are a Superhero. You are Loved.
About Freddie
Freddie was born January 3, 2019 in Minneapolis and from an early age displayed a quiet kindness and calm disposition well beyond his years. His early days were filled starting his collection of stuffed ducks, learning bravery at local parks, beginning lasting friendships at The Gardner School, and accompanying his parents on adventures across the country. He would also develop a remarkable ability to make those around him laugh - by cracking jokes and his funny expressions, alike. He made the world a better place. The bond Freddie had with his little sister, Hattie was extremely special and Freddie made protecting her an instinctual life mission. He taught Hattie about dogs, friendship, sports, toys, music and cartoons. They shared mutual enjoyment dancing to Whitney Houston and Taylor Swift; and watching Bluey, Peppa Pig, princesses and super heroes - Freddie's favorites rotating between Spider Man, Iron Man and Leonardo the ninja turtle.
Freddie was always putting others first, ensuring everyone was okay. He was our little jokester and always ready for an adventure and/or a scavenger hunt. Finding any sort of surprise out in the world was something he sought out daily. Whether it was a cool rock, a surprise toy, or finding a new trinket, he was always on the hunt for something ‘cool’.
He loved arts and crafts, riding his bike around the neighborhood and playing golf in the backyard, just like his dad.
In early November 2023, Freddie experienced mild and infrequent stomach pain which escalated over the following weeks, ultimately resulting in a referral to Children's Hospital. An ultrasound was performed, at the time looking for signs of appendicitis, and upon completion we were given the gut-wrenching news that imaging revealed significant lymphoma throughout his abdomen. A CT scan that day would confirm the lymphoma, and biopsies a day later would specify the type of lymphoma -- a very rare and aggressive Burkitt Lymphoma. While rare and aggressive are not words you want associated with your son's cancer - we also learned that Burkitt Lymphoma is very curable with low reoccurrence rates after remission. While the prognosis was indeed good, the staging of the lymphoma required an extended 8 months of intensive chemotherapy. Freddie’s treatment journey started off rocky as he got a bacterial infection resulting in severe septic shock. After which he was intubated for 3 days in very critical condition. Freddie was able to power through many additional obstacles in the ICU, but after a month he was re-admitted back to oncology at Childrens Hospital to continue this treatment plan.
Devastatingly, at his half way PET scan, residual disease remained in his bone marrow and a treatment change was needed. At that point, the best remaining curative option was to participate in a clinical trial of innovative immunotherapy at Childrens Colorado outside Denver, followed by a stem transplant.
Freddie tackled the CAR-T therapy with his usual grace, strength, and charm throughout a grueling two month stint at a foreign hospital in an unfamiliar city. Sadly, the treatment would never get Freddie into full remission necessary to begin the stem cell transplant and the family returned to Minneapolis to face an unknown filled with fear and despair.
Five weeks later, on July 8 2024, Super Hero Freddie decided his battle was sufficiently won; and moved onto his life beyond this world; free of Cancer, worry, pain or stress.

The love Freddie had for his sister, family and friends radiated off him. A love we choose to continue to spread, daily.
“I’m not your buddy, I’m your Superhero!”
-Freddie
“You’re going to make a difference. A lot of times it won’t be huge, it won’t be visible even. But it will matter just the same.”
— James Gordon























