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Family works to honor son's memory through foundation to assist pediatric cancer patients

The Brantley Francis Foundation was created after a Geneseo family lost their 3-year-old son to cancer. Now they are working to help families on that same journey.

ROCK ISLAND, Ill. — The Brantley Francis Foundation is teaming up with Blue Cat Brewing Company to help those with childhood cancer and their families who are navigating pediatric cancer. 

"We lost our son (Brantley) in late 2017," Matt Francis, co-founder of the Brantley Francis Foundation, said. Now the foundation helps other families. 

"When they connect with us, we will send them a BFF bag, it's full of toys and goodies for the kids to make them feel some joy when they are in the hospital, which is obviously a tough time." 

Francis went on to say, "We have got some gift cards for the families so they can have some financial support there, we send them birthday boxes as well." The foundation has also partnered with the University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital to fund a room there as well.

The National Cancer Institute says pediatric cancer is the leading cause of death by disease past infancy among children in the United States.

Credit: Brantley Francis Foundation
Brantley Francis

The Francis family has made it their mission to be a light to pediatric cancer patients and their families. News 8's David Bohlman asked why they decided to create this foundation, and become a resource to other families. Francis responded, "Brantley. He was put here for a reason, and we didn't know what it was. It was challenging to say the least when he was here. But now we are able to make things easier for the kids going through what he was going through."

Blue Cat Brewing Company has made a special brew available until it sells out. For their brewmaster and owner, Charlie Cole, the Francis' family's mission resonates with him. "I have four kids myself so it definitely connects with what I feel and want to support."  

The Brewing Company will then donate a portion of the proceeds from the beer to the Brantley Francis Foundation. The brew is a honey blonde ale, and $1.00 per pint will be donated to the foundation.

If you are local, come enjoy a night out, while supporting 3 local non-profits! We have a goal to fill FIVE tables! We...

Posted by Brantley Francis Foundation on Wednesday, October 19, 2022

If you would like to connect with the Brantley Francis Foundation and donate to them, you can do so directly on their website. You can make a donation by clicking here.

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