Kylee’s Wish: A Story of Hope and Resilience
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (31.3MB)
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS
In this episode, the Reno Dads sit down with Kehl LeSourd, a dad who inspires us with his and his family’s story of resilience in the face of some very challenging circumstances. Kehl is the father of Kylee LeSourd (who, at age 7, was diagnosed with brain cancer). Kylee lost her battle with cancer over 10 years ago, but not before making one final wish – that no other child would have to get cancer again. And her father has sworn to help make that wish come true. Reno Dads has joined the fight against childhood cancer, as a part of Kehl’s team – Kylee’s Wish.
Please consider helping this worthy cause: Donate to the Reno Dads team (all donations go to St. Baldrick’s Foundation)
The Wisdom of a Kind, Thoughtful Girl
Really, there’s no better way to describe how this came to be than with the words of Kehl (and Kylee):
“Kylee’s Wish comes from my daughter that we lost to cancer. One day while at a hospital we passed a water feature. As fathers do, I gave her a penny and told her to make a wish. She took longer than normal and threw it in. I didn’t think much of it until later that night in the hospital. She got real serious and said she needed to tell me her wish.
Dad, “You know the rule if you tell me it won’t come true.”
Kylee, “I still need to tell you because this one is really important.”
Dad, “Ok it will be our secret.”
Kylee, “I wished that no other kid gets cancer.”
– Kylee’s Wish
St. Baldrick’s Event
The Reno Dads have partnered up with Kehl and his team to help raise awareness and money for childhood cancer research, as part of the St. Baldrick’s event with the Northern Nevada Children’s Cancer Foundation on March 16, 2018. Our very own Mike McDowell has volunteered to be our “head” — he’ll get up on stage and donate his hair on behalf of the Reno Dads team.
We hope you’ll have a listen to this episode and that you’ll consider donating to the Kylee’s Wish team for this amazing and inspiring event. Thanks to Kehl, we’ve learned that we’re winning the fight against cancer (nearly a 90% survival rate for leukemia), and that nearly everyone will be touched by some form of this disease during their lifetime. And, thanks to Kehl, the Reno Dads have learned a bit more about what it means to be a great dad in the face of some very challenging circumstances. We’re glad to know you, Kehl, and we are proud to stand with you in this important mission. Thank you for sharing Kylee’s story with us.
She said you have to fight the rest of your life as well. She’s gone but I am still here so I fight. A promise to a daughter. I believe in something other than our existence here and if I am good enough I know I will see her again. First things she’s going to ask is “how did you do on your promises, and if you knew her I better have a good answer.
— Kehl LeSourd
In Reno, you can listen to our show on 97.7 KWNK or find all episodes here at Reno Dads. If you have any comments or ideas for future episodes, reach out to us on our Contact page.
Show Highlights
- Team Introductions: Jonathan Salkoff and Mike McDowell
- Interview with Kehl LeSourd founder of Kylee’s Wish
- St. Baldrick’s northern Nevada event – March 16th
Rad Links Mentioned in the Episode
- Kylee’s Wish (St. Baldrick’s Team Page, Facebook Page)
- Reno Dads Podcast (iTunes)
- 97.7 KWNK Reno Radio Station
More Reno Dads!
- Connect with the Reno Dads! Social media accounts posted below
- Remember, you are now able to subscribe on iTunes, Google Play and through the RSS feed. Please leave a rating so others can find our content!
- If you enjoyed this podcast, please go rate it on iTunes!
