MUSIC FOR CANCER

From the moment Logan was born, we knew he was going to be a shining light that would

touch so many people. At a very young age he displayed so many characteristics of intelligence, creativity, and most importantly, kindness and empathy. He always wanted the people around him to be smiling and at peace, and even as a young child, he understood the value of spreading positivity to his family and peers.

In middle school, Logan was active in the theatre program. He had a natural gift as a performer, and his enthusiasm for the stage earned him leading roles in many productions at Grand Avenue Middle School (most notably as Gomez Addams in the production of “The Addams’s Family”). In high school, Logan turned his attention to football where he was a defensive lineman for Mepham High. His talent on the field earned him a spot on the varsity team as a sophomore, an accomplishment coveted by many.  But Logan’s true passion was always in service to others. In 10th grade, he and his friends petitioned to bring on the non-profit organization Build On to Mepham High School as an outreach club. They were the first to help organize a mission trek to Senegal, Africa. For ten days, Logan and the group helped build a school in one of the poorest villages in the country. Logan felt like he had found a calling and had started making plans for a trip to Nicaragua the following year, but Covid sidelined all their plans, and he never got to go. And all the while, he worked hard, maintained good grades, consistently made the honor roll and was a member of the National Honor Society. As a result, he was awarded many college scholarship opportunities to multiple colleges. Logan decided to stay close to home and continue his education at Molloy.
And this is where Logan’s fight started to rear its ugly head. College is hard, but that’s something that’s expected. Life is hard sometimes, too, but with the loss of both his grandmother and grandfather to cancer (within a month of each other),

Logan felt he was struggling a little too much.

 

Things felt just a little bit “off,” but he chalked it up to the growing pains of college life and adjusting to his new world. But when he started exhibiting symptoms that were a little more alarming than just your college-student with a migraine, that’s when things took a more serious turn.  After extensive testing, Logan was diagnosed with a massive brain tumor in the clivus canal. This destructive tumor had eroded surrounding bone and pressed against the carotid artery, pituitary gland, and the 6th cranial nerve. It also affected other structures in his brain and critical blood vessels which explained why he was seeing double, having consistent headaches, was unable to focus and concentrate in school, and felt not quite like himself. The devastating diagnosis forced the pause button on his education and work life. Despite these challenges, Logan’s spirit remains unbreakable. He is an amazing big brother to Harley and Enzo, and a role model as the “big cousin” to Tino, Morgan, Sonny and Dean. He never meets a stranger and his quest to bring positivity and love to those around him remains intact, as his courage and resilience continue to inspire everyone who stands by his side. Loganhopes to be a beacon for others who have gone through a similar situation and plans to dedicate himself to mentoring others in need.