Skip to content
In the face of terminal illness, the simple joys of childhood can seem tragically out of reach for many young people. However, one organization is on a mission to give back those precious moments of adventure, hope, and normalcy. This is the incredible story behind Papa Bear and his heartwarming initiative, Brave Young Hearts.
Papa Bear with Bethany: A Story of Love and Resilience
Kerry, affectionately known as Papa Bear, and his wife Diane have been happily married for almost 47 years. From their two sons, they were blessed with 10 grandchildren, including their first grandchild Bethany, whom Papa Bear lovingly called "Princess Buttercup."
Papa Bear and Bethany shared a close bond, going on endless adventures and playing games together. However, at just 2 years old, Bethany was diagnosed with hydrocephalus requiring brain surgery. More devastating news followed - she had neurofibromatosis type 1 and later developed brain tumors.
For a year, brave Bethany underwent chemotherapy, but her tumors continued growing. She then endured 6 weeks of aggressive radiation treatments which took an immense toll on her tiny body. Bethany suffered seizures and four strokes at age 3 1/2, leaving her in a vegetative state for the last year of her life.
Throughout her ordeal, Papa Bear whispered words of love, read stories, and promised he would join her one day on her next great adventure. Bethany passed away on August 31, 2005, at just 4 years old, robbed of the chance to go hunting with her Papa Bear as she had dreamed.
From Inspiration to Action: The Birth of Brave Young Hearts
Motivated by Bethany's story, Papa Bear began volunteering for a charity providing outdoor adventures for terminally ill children. After 9 years, he and Diane decided to start their own nonprofit, inspired by the "brave young hearts" of two boys with congenital heart defects they met at Give Kids the World Village. As Diane said, "Don't they both have brave young hearts?" -- Brave Young Hearts was born!
On May 3, 2016, Brave Young Hearts was officially established, with the mission of giving terminally or critically ill children their dream outdoor adventures - whether hunting, fishing, camping, or more. As Papa Bear explained, "If we can help these kiddos forget for even a moment about being sick, all the hospital time, and treatments.....and bring a smile to their faces....then we have accomplished our mission."
Empowering Adventures for Brave Kits
Brave Young Hearts has provided 40 adventures for children battling illnesses like cancer, muscular dystrophy, and brain tumors. Each adventure is carefully tailored to the child's interests, abilities, and medical needs.
Charisma, their first child, who went horseback riding for the first time on her 16th birthday adventure despite being mostly wheelchair-bound. Nick, a 13-year-old battling leukemia, fulfilled his dream of cougar hunting in British Columbia. Four-year-old Piper, who had never seen the ocean, went to San Diego before sadly passing away from her illness.
Ten-year-old Ella Joy went on a wild boar hunt in Missouri after intensive shooting lessons, dropping her boar in one shot. Rhen, 13, bagged an elk in Utah just 5 minutes into his outdoor adventure, despite being wheelchair-bound with muscular dystrophy.
These brave kids get the chance to simply be children again, free from hospitals and treatments. The adventures provide priceless memories and personal growth for the whole family to cherish.
Overcoming Challenges with Perseverance
Operating the charity hasn't been without its challenges. As Papa Bear stated, he has persistently advocated to make incredible adventures happen against difficult odds. For Carter, who uses a wheelchair, Papa Bear shared: "I took it the extra step and jumped through many hoops to get Carter to go backstage and meet the Newsboys band, and get him the VIP suite with a special chef dinner...The logistics were astronomical but I persisted. I want to have an impact on these kid's lives, so I didn't take no for an answer."
For baby Haddie, going on a month-long RV trip despite being on a ventilator required tremendous efforts to find a rental company willing to accommodate her needs. But Papa Bear's determination ensures no child misses out on their dream adventure.
Bringing Hope Through Education
In addition to leading the efforts at Brave Young Hearts, Papa Bear dedicates his time to teaching at a faith-based school in Denver. Alongside subjects like chemistry, physical science, and Bible, Papa Bear dedicates himself to imparting crucial lifesaving skills to a group of young individuals facing extraordinary challenges. "These students have endured incredibly tough circumstances - many facing expulsion from multiple high schools, grappling with addiction, gang involvement, and encounters with law enforcement," he explains.
Reflecting on his experiences teaching first aid, CPR, and AED usage, Papa Bear shares numerous poignant moments. "I have one student that has a 9-month-old baby. She wants to become an EMT. I have another student, and she wants to go into nursing...both because of the class," he shares with evident pride. Another student, about to become a mother in April, was surprised at the amount of knowledge she needed before the baby's arrival. Additionally, a male student, fascinated by Papa Bear's teachings, now carries a first aid kit in his fanny pack.
Considering the challenging environment these students live in, Papa Bear goes beyond the basics, ensuring they learn essential techniques such as treating sucking chest wounds and properly applying tourniquets, which are crucial skills for addressing bleeding from gunshot or stab wounds.
Papa Bear's unconventional teaching style, characterized by his "sick and demented humor," resonates with the students, fostering an engaging and memorable learning environment. For instance, he humorously incorporates elements like showing the video by Peter Gabriel of “Shock The Monkey” for AED use, making the learning experience both educational and enjoyable for his students.
In alignment with Papa Bear's dedication to teaching lifesaving skills, Rhino Rescue announces our donation of first aid kits to Brave Young Hearts. We are committed to supporting initiatives like Brave Young Hearts and individuals like Papa Bear who are tirelessly working to empower and educate communities in life-saving techniques.
Empowering Tomorrow's Brave Hearts
The impact of Brave Young Hearts adventures extends far beyond the joy experienced by terminally ill children; it has also deeply affected Papa Bear's life, providing solace and purpose in the face of tragedy after the loss of his beloved granddaughter. By offering support to these courageous children and their families during their darkest times, Papa Bear provides the same comfort he wishes he had received.
Looking to the future, Papa Bear's vision for the impact of Brave Young Hearts knows no bounds. With profound gratitude, he hopes to continue providing brave outdoor adventures for as long as possible, steadfast in his commitment that no child should miss out, even if it means using his own credit card. Though Brave Young Hearts began as a small grassroots charity, Papa Bear dreams of expanding their mission with more partners to raise awareness and secure financial support. "I hope more people will support us so we never have to turn away a single child in need - even if it's a million kids," he declares, determined to keep the brave young hearts beating furiously toward their wildest hopes.
