Landon Clay Matheny was a first-grade student at Hillcrest Elementary when he received a terminal diagnosis of brain cancer called DIPG. DIPG, Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma, is an inoperable, cancerous brain tumor that diffuses into the brain stem that controls all major functions of the body. There is no cure and no treatment. Landon fought this evil disease for ten months without ever complaining or questioning God. In fact, he chose to stand on the promises of God, and that is exactly what his family chose to do with him. Landon loved school, sports (especially his Rebels and Titans), his family, his friends, and his church. To know him was to love him as he had a huge heart for helping others and making others feel good.

Ten months before his diagnosis, Landon ran during the marathon weekend in Memphis on the St. Jude campus to help raise awareness and money for the kids at St. Jude. During radiation, he asked his medical team to please help him get well quickly because he needed to race again to help the kids in the hospital, when in fact, he was a kid in the hospital. The medical team labeled Landon as a warrior with a servant’s heart as he often put others’ needs above his own.

One of Landon’s favorite parts of St. Jude was the Happy Cart which seemed to always come around with toys at the right times! Landon wanted to help restock the cart, so he started a business called Bombs Away and made bath bombs as occupational therapy and sold them to buy toys for the kids at St. Jude. Landon’s family and friends have started the Team Landon Clay Foundation to continue Landon’s ministry of serving others. They locally help children with critical illnesses and nationally children with DIPG.

There‎ will‎ be‎ a‎ day‎ when‎ all‎ children‎ are‎ healed‎ and no parents are told what the Mathenys were told…to go home and make memories…and‎ foundations‎ like‎ this‎ will‎ no‎ longer‎ be‎ needed,‎ but the Team Landon Clay Foundation’s‎ mission‎ is‎ to‎ "help‎ the‎ kids"‎ just like Landon did until‎ that‎ day‎ comes.‎

Until they see Landon again, they remember and think about Landon’s favorite scripture each day. “Don't‎ be‎ afraid,‎ only‎ believe."‎ Mark‎ 5:36.