Gregory Austin Whyte

I have been blessed to be able to run to honor not only my mum, but others who are currently battling blood cancers, and those who have lost that battle. My friend Meghan was one of the first people to donate to my cause. She lost her brother when she was younger, and so I will be running in his memory as well. He sounds like he was a special little guy.

Gregory Austin Whyte was a special little soul. He was eight years old when he died of leukemia. He was a little brother to Alec and Chris, and the big brother to Megan, who saw Greg as the superhero of the world. Gregory always struck people with his Buddha-like qualities. He was unbelievably patient and aware. He cared more for others than he did for himself. At Disneyland, he punched the Big Bad Wolf for terrorizing the Three Little Pigs. He would beg his mother to let his little sister grab the scissors she wanted, just so she would stop crying--because he simply could not bear to hear her cry. He laughed a lot and had a giggly sense of humor. He would do favors for his brothers whenever asked. He had an amiable personality, even when sick. Gregory loved baseball. He even played some baseball on the day he took his final trip to the hospital. On the way to the hospital, Gregory calmly told his father that he was dying. His dad was shocked and upset. Aware that this was news his father couldn't bear, Greg then said, "Oh, I mean, it's so hot today, I'm dying." He was very present and clear-minded when he died, and each of his siblings and parents still feels a deep emptiness without him. They are sure Gregory finds a way to do great things for his loved ones still here.