Jordan DuPriest was a straight-A student, full of life with a passion for saving endangered species (mainly sea turtles). In 2011, at the age of 10, she was diagnosed with anaplastic ependymoma, the third-most common brain cancer and a type that is fast-growing and tricky to treat.

She maintained her good grades and positive spirit despite enduring two surgeries, four courses of intensive chemotherapy and six weeks of getting seven doses of radiation a day.

In May 2012, Jordan wanted to do something to support childhood cancer research and she wanted to spread awareness to her friends at school. Because of hair loss, she wore hats every day to school and many kids thought this was cool or even unfair that they couldn't. Jordan came up with an event called “Hats on Against Cancer” to show that she wasn't cool for wearing a hat and to allow her peers the chance to wear one as a sign that they were against cancer.

So Hats on Against Cancer was launched at her school and each child could wear a hat for any donation. About 20 lbs of change were donated and Jordan and her brother, Cody, learned a good lesson in money counting, addition and using the calculator. She raised over $3,000 for ALSF, which was awesome considering all the quarters and dollars that children generously took money from their piggy banks in honor to wear a hat in support of kids with cancer.

Jordan had become a Hero ambassador for Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, a nationwide charity that raises awareness and funds for childhood cancer research. She bravely shared her story and spoke with students at Elementary Schools in Spotsylvania and Culpeper.

Sadly, Jordan passed away on November 18, 2013, at her Spotsylvania home, surrounded by her parents and brother.

Her family continues to raise awareness for childhood cancer in her memory.

June 2014