What I learned From a Brave Hartland Teen Who Battled Cancer

One year ago, , a 17-year-old Hartland high school junior, lost her nine-month battle with cancer.

And sadly, I never had the honor of meeting Kendal.

Although I wrote about her and her life, her battle against leukemia and finally her death, I never had the opportunity to see her smile in person, listen to her voice, give her a hug or wish her well. But that doesn't mean I wasn't affected by her loss. 

After meeting Kendal's friends for the first time , I truly believed I would get a chance to meet the young, amazing and talented girl they all loved so much.

I could hear it in their voices, how they spoke of her and how they missed her. It was obvious their lives were all intertwined and that her absence that night was huge for all of them. I also realized, that chilly night in October, that Kendal's chances of beating cancer for the second time were so much greater because I saw firsthand how many people were fighting and cheering for her.

I saw just how much she had to live for. From best friends that would have been in her wedding to a sweet, secret crush that made me remember what it was like to fall in love in high school.

And then, Jan. 7, 2011. Stunned.

Overcoming heartbreak

When I heard the news that she hadn’t made it, my heart broke. Thinking of it to this day, it still breaks.

My faith was shaken that day, last January. I was mad and heartbroken and so scared. Scared that if losing a fight like that could happen to Kendal, after everything she had already been through and knowing everything that she missed in life but so deserved, I was faced with the possibility that it could happen to my own babies — my own children — and I had never been so scared.

Talking to a parent after they have lost their baby is one of the hardest things I have ever done.

But that is also the only thing that has been able to restore my faith. It showed me that every day there are people on this Earth who will always be better, stronger and wiser than me — and those people for me are John and Heather Lividini.

Watching Kendal’s parents as they said good-bye to their daughter with such grace and dignity was a lesson in humility. I showed me that no matter what I do from here on out, I could never possibly be as brave or as thoughtful or as caring as these two people who, even as they dealt with such a devastating loss, still took the time to comfort others, wiped the tears from the eyes of their friends and family and listened compassionately to numerous Kendal stories from devastated mourners.

They truly are a beautiful family, who have raised two beautiful children and continue to do beautiful things in honor of their daughter.

Kendal's legacy

Shortly after Kendal’s death, John and Heather started an organization, Team Kendal Kidz, which raises money to support two charities, Special Days Camp and the Children’s Cancer Research Fund. Last year, they were able to that they donated in honor of Kendal.

Here in Hartland, many of us know the name Kendal and we know about Team Kendal Kidz, but now I am asking for us to spread the word even farther, beyond the borders of Hartland and help this family continue to do beautiful things in honor of their beautiful daughter.

Team Kendal Kidz is currently looking to increase the sales of their pin-ups that help support their organization. Several business in the area, such as , have been very supportive during the past year, and Heather and John, along with their son Jake, who is showing his love for Kendal by playing in a hockey game today — his stick covered in orange tape in honor of his sister’s memory — are all hoping for another successful year.

But even as we move into another year, I still think about Kendal — every day, actually. The days I go for my runs, I always wear my Team Kendal Kidz bracelet and whenever I feel tired or lazy, grumpy or ungrateful for the life I was given, I look down and keep running. 

Because the girl I never had a chance to meet was still able to teach me so much about responsibility and character; strength and love; faith and believing in angels. ‘Cause even though Kendal may have left us, I truly believe pieces of her soul are still here simply because she was loved so greatly, so purely and so unconditionally that a part of her was able to stay. 

And so, as Kendal’s , this is actually Kendal’s first birthday. The day she turned into an angel.

Happy Birthday, sweet Kendal.

> For more on the story of Kendal Lividini, visit our topic page.