Celebrating the Life of David Hicks

This GoFundMe is now closed, as the fund has moved to the Berrien Community Foundation to establish the Scholarship Fund in David's name. You can still donate directly to the scholarship by clicking here.

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At age 13, life changed for David Alan Hicks. He was diagnosed with a rare and difficult form of cancer called Ewing's Sarcoma . Doctors at University of Michigan - CS Mott Children's Hospital determined that David had a better possibility of surviving if he underwent an amputation below the knee on his right leg. The day after Christmas, David underwent the procedure successfully along with chemotherapy to keep the cancer at bay. He did not stop fighting.


2014: David beat cancer. Throughout the next two years, he lived the life of a normal teenager just navigating River Valley High School, participating in Wrestling, enjoying everything superhero-related, video games, and fun with friends and family. Like his heroes, he never stopped fighting.


At age 16, less than three years after being diagnosed the first time, David's cancer returned in full force. Not only did David's cancer spread to his upper body, but it brought with it tumors and immense pain. The doctors at Mott returned to help David and our family. First, with chemotherapy drugs. After the chemo drugs stopped being effective, the decision to switch to radiation occurred. After weeks of trips to Ann Arbor for one hour a day of radiation therapy, living in a hotel for five days a week to rest and recover, David was still in immense pain. He fought, bravely, quietly, soundly.


Then, after turning age 17, the unimaginable happened. David's "good" leg was found to have cancer in and around the knee, in addition to the cancer still lingering in parts of his upper body. The options became less, and the paths became harder to see. Still, David fights.

After pain continued to plague his body and mind, David made the decision to forego any further treatment. And he still fights...


At around 10:35am on Friday, February 10th, 2017, David Alan Hicks left this earth to become a superhero in another galaxy.

The family of David Hicks are asking for donations with a goal of $35,000. Reaching this goal will allow us to:

- Assist family members in the preparation of David's Celebration of Life

- And pay for final expenses.

But, our biggest need yet involves the establishment of a Scholarship in David's name. David loves the performing arts, whether it be movies, TV, dramas and stage shows, theme parks, video games, or other visual arts. So, we intend to allow David's name to live on as we give the gift of scholarship to High School students in Berrien County that wish to major in a field related to the arts.


After the fundraising goal is reached, we will be working with the Berrien Community Foundation to establish the Scholarship fund. David's eldest brother, Zack, will work with the foundation to administer continuous fundraising efforts over time, while helping to work with high school guidance counselors to encourage students in the Berrien County, Michigan area to apply for funds.

If the scholarship fund reaches over $25,000, it will become an Endowment Fund in perpetuity. This means we will no longer have to do consistent yearly fundraising to keep dollars coming in. As long as the economy is healthy, the scholarship will live on.

Thanks to your support, David will never stop fighting. Your gifts allow David to know his dreams of enjoying the arts will be lived out by his peers who deserve a chance as well.

Thank you.