Brenna has a lot of friends, a lot of friends, and often those friends introduce her to their friends and her circle grows. One of her friends family is best friends with the Whatcott family and that's how she got to know them. When Brenna would go watch her friends football games, she would hang out with the Nixon's mom Janessa during the games. The Whatcotts have all boys and are serious sports lovers, especially football and baseball and are heavily involved in youth sports in our area. Their 2nd son Nixon was diagnosed with cancer in Feb of 2018 and passed away in June of 2019. Here's a little but about their story:
One thing is certain, we have not fought alone. The incredible amount of love, support, and kindness by so many in our community and throughout the world have helped ease our burden and brought a smile to Nixon in times of challenge and difficult. It is because of this that we knew we had to do more too. We knew that we needed to help those fighting and give back in whatever way we could to those kids battling the impossible of cancer. It was Nixon's dream and is a legacy to him to start the NixonStrong Foundation. It is our hope is that we can make a difference in families and children going through their own fight and battle with cancer by providing financial assistance, as well as making kids dreams come true in whatever way we can. This is our cause and this is our WHY for the NixonStrong Foundation. Our fight for these kids and their families will always go on as long as there is "C" we will be there helping fight for their life, helping them find light and a smile in their journey.
Tonight Zach Wilson, who had known Nixon, was signing autogrpahs to support the NixonStrong Foundation and we knew we wanted to be there. Zach is someone that we admire as a college athlete and love to watch play, especially when he connects with our favorite #5 Dax Milne.
He was as genuine and kind as he seems on TV. His family was there (minus his younger brother Isaac that's one of Brenna's friends) and we got to visit with them as well as Janessa and Nixon's family.
It was Wednesday night. Kayla and Zach both mentioned they had just finished up finals at BYU and Zach and the BYU football team are flying out to Boca Raton in less than 48 hours for their Bowl Game. He could have been resting, relaxing, hanging out with friends or family, but he chose to be here signing autographs for the community to support Nixon's family as they work to help other cancer patients and their families. Seriously heartwarming.
Thank you Zach for the autographed posters and the quick visit. It was so fun to meet you at the end of such an awesome season and before you head to the NFL, but what we will remember most is your character and the kindness you shared with us and our community. Zach Wilson #1
