#fighter

And just like that, a young life was extinguished as a brave young woman lost her courageous battle to a brain tumor. Michelle Boyd DeJong, a community champion, and former student, was a fighter in every sense of the word. A beautiful young girl, with every thing going for her — a successful career, a loving caring husband, an adoring family,  tons of friends, the world at her fingertips — and then the earth shattering news about the monster inside her brain.

With multiple surgeries, clinical trials and a never say die attitude, Michelle took the fight to the beast. An aspiring author, she wrote prolifically, started a movement to never stop fighting, and the #fighter battle cry was born. She never gave up. “Be the Good,” defined her call to those around her — to make a positive difference in this world.

I followed her heroic journey on social media and was in awe of her strength and her spirit. For most of us, it is just easier to give up — but not her. I spoke to Michelle about a year or so ago and shared her story on these pages. This one is a lot tougher to write. It is not supposed to be this way. Parents are not supposed to bury their children.

While Michelle is no more, and she rests among the Angels, she did not let cancer define her life. I have a sense that her army of warriors will keep the good fight going, and will ‘Be the Good’ in this world. Her life and her death will not be in vain. Her work is not yet done, and watch out for the fighters……