ESCANABA, Mich. (WZMQ) – The 51st annual U.P. Steam & Gas Engine Show wrapped up Monday afternoon at the U.P. State Fairgrounds. One display shared an important message with attendees.
A purple tractor stood in honor of Kaydence Tucker, who was diagnosed with a brain stem tumor at the age of 8.
“They gave her ten months to live,” said Marsha Tucker, Kaydence’s grandmother. “We went on travels, and we did all kinds of stuff with her that last year. She passed away in May of 2019 at 9 years old.”
Now, her family runs a Wisconsin-based nonprofit called the Kaydence Ever After Foundation. The tractor, which her family has brought to the Steam & Gas Engine Show for several years, is a colorful reminder of her life.
“She was a very smart little girl,” Tucker said. “She loved school, animals. She loved tractor shows. We’ve taken her to them her whole life.”
The Kaydence Ever After Foundation’s mission is to raise awareness about childhood cancer. Tucker says she is also advocating for increased funding for research.
“There’s only 4% of government funds that go toward any kind of cancer research for pediatrics,” she said. “Most people don’t think about childhood cancer until their child has it. We were one of those. It just hits you.”
This Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, the Kaydence Ever After Foundation encourages people to look into childhood cancer services in their area and to support them if possible.
