Peyton Smith Memorial Gym
Donation protected
Peyton Smith was a young man filled with compassion, adventure, thoughtfulness, athleticism, spirit, and a fierce will belied by his 18-year-old body. He loved his family, his friends, sports, and sneakers.
Despite two years of unfathomable trial and sacrifice, Peyton always had a smile on his face.
On an Instagram post dated June 27th, 2019, Peyton (peyto._.s) posted, "This is a really good time to tell everyone the news that I have to tell. So not everyone knows about this but the summer of 2018 I was diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma and this was the worst thing that truly has ever happened to me and I was honestly so devastated...So that entire summer I was busy kicking cancers ass which I took like an absolute champ and then I moved to Northfield Vermont and started school at Montpelier High School those who know military kids know that making friends is not the easiest thing to do but there are a few kids that welcomed me and to them I say thank you so much it actually means so much to me...Finally on June 21 [2019] I had the final full body scans and everything had come back positive with absolutely no signs what so ever of any evidence of and indication of cancer cells so it's official I am now cancer free!"
But, in September of last year, Peyton's cancer came back. His father, US Air Force Colonel Matthew Smith, and his mother, US Air Force Lt Col Dani Smith, were by his side every moment, frequently traveling between Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston and Montpelier, Vermont. His younger brother, Keegan, insisted on doing everything with Peyton, and took after his brother in sports, especially baseball.
Peyton and Keegan were both at Mile 20 at the Boston Marathon cheering on their Dad as he completed the marathon, in the rain, and helped raise money to support pediatric cancer research and treatment at Massachusetts General Hospital.
Peyton and Keegan were also side by side when the Make-A-Wish Foundation sent Peyton to Nike Headquarters where the Make-A-Wish Air Jordan 4 #AirPeyton was born. Peyton posted this about his experience:
"There are many different elements and details on this shoe. This shoe is based of the US Air Force colors of Blue, Grey and White due to my life of being in an Air Force family as well as the Nike Cancer Ribbon as seen on the back of the shoe which is also my very own design...it has always been a dream ever since I got into sneakers and I want to thank Make-A-Wish for helping me make my dream reality...Lastly the biggest surprise was that originally these shoes were supposed to be a 1 of 1 sneaker but Jordan Brand was kind enough to make 4 pairs for my family."
Peyton passed away on October 21, 2020. He fought hard, and he won that battle, because he has made a lasting impression on the world as unique as the tread on his Make-A-Wish Jordan 4 #AirPeyton sneaker. His family now carries his strength within them.
But it hurts. And it's really hard. And it will take time for the Smiths to find their light in Peyton's absence. But there is hope, and there is light, and with your help they can build a tribute to Peyton's legacy.
Matt and Keegan have a dream to build a memorial gym in honor of Peyton. It gets cold in Vermont, and Matt and Keegan want to fill some of the emptiness in their home with a tangible tribute to one of the pillars of well-being: physical strength. The memorial gym will be set up so Matt, Keegan, and Keegan's teammates can have a place to train and continue to grow in strength and passion for sports that they shared with Peyton for so many years.
Your contribution will make Peyton's, Keegan's, and Matt's dream come true. You will give them a place to remember what it means to fight for what you want, and to be a family, and a team.
Matt, Dani, and Keegan know what it means to struggle, as do many of us who have had to face life's cruelty and wonder, "why?" Show them you understand and become a part of Peyton's legacy.
Every. Contribution. Matters.
The Smiths, their family, and friends all thank you endlessly for your support. Even if you can't contribute, we humbly ask that you please share this link with others, and know that the fact that you read Peyton's story means just as much.
With the most heartfelt gratitude--
Despite two years of unfathomable trial and sacrifice, Peyton always had a smile on his face.
On an Instagram post dated June 27th, 2019, Peyton (peyto._.s) posted, "This is a really good time to tell everyone the news that I have to tell. So not everyone knows about this but the summer of 2018 I was diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma and this was the worst thing that truly has ever happened to me and I was honestly so devastated...So that entire summer I was busy kicking cancers ass which I took like an absolute champ and then I moved to Northfield Vermont and started school at Montpelier High School those who know military kids know that making friends is not the easiest thing to do but there are a few kids that welcomed me and to them I say thank you so much it actually means so much to me...Finally on June 21 [2019] I had the final full body scans and everything had come back positive with absolutely no signs what so ever of any evidence of and indication of cancer cells so it's official I am now cancer free!"
But, in September of last year, Peyton's cancer came back. His father, US Air Force Colonel Matthew Smith, and his mother, US Air Force Lt Col Dani Smith, were by his side every moment, frequently traveling between Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston and Montpelier, Vermont. His younger brother, Keegan, insisted on doing everything with Peyton, and took after his brother in sports, especially baseball.
Peyton and Keegan were both at Mile 20 at the Boston Marathon cheering on their Dad as he completed the marathon, in the rain, and helped raise money to support pediatric cancer research and treatment at Massachusetts General Hospital.
Peyton and Keegan were also side by side when the Make-A-Wish Foundation sent Peyton to Nike Headquarters where the Make-A-Wish Air Jordan 4 #AirPeyton was born. Peyton posted this about his experience:
"There are many different elements and details on this shoe. This shoe is based of the US Air Force colors of Blue, Grey and White due to my life of being in an Air Force family as well as the Nike Cancer Ribbon as seen on the back of the shoe which is also my very own design...it has always been a dream ever since I got into sneakers and I want to thank Make-A-Wish for helping me make my dream reality...Lastly the biggest surprise was that originally these shoes were supposed to be a 1 of 1 sneaker but Jordan Brand was kind enough to make 4 pairs for my family."
Peyton passed away on October 21, 2020. He fought hard, and he won that battle, because he has made a lasting impression on the world as unique as the tread on his Make-A-Wish Jordan 4 #AirPeyton sneaker. His family now carries his strength within them.
But it hurts. And it's really hard. And it will take time for the Smiths to find their light in Peyton's absence. But there is hope, and there is light, and with your help they can build a tribute to Peyton's legacy.
Matt and Keegan have a dream to build a memorial gym in honor of Peyton. It gets cold in Vermont, and Matt and Keegan want to fill some of the emptiness in their home with a tangible tribute to one of the pillars of well-being: physical strength. The memorial gym will be set up so Matt, Keegan, and Keegan's teammates can have a place to train and continue to grow in strength and passion for sports that they shared with Peyton for so many years.
Your contribution will make Peyton's, Keegan's, and Matt's dream come true. You will give them a place to remember what it means to fight for what you want, and to be a family, and a team.
Matt, Dani, and Keegan know what it means to struggle, as do many of us who have had to face life's cruelty and wonder, "why?" Show them you understand and become a part of Peyton's legacy.
Every. Contribution. Matters.
The Smiths, their family, and friends all thank you endlessly for your support. Even if you can't contribute, we humbly ask that you please share this link with others, and know that the fact that you read Peyton's story means just as much.
With the most heartfelt gratitude--
Co-organizers (3)
Charlene Carpenter
Organizer
Montpelier, VT
Jon Rhone
Beneficiary
Trent Carpenter
Co-organizer
Jon Zall
Co-organizer