#cameronstrong
This page is dedicated to my son Cameron.
Cameron lived with quiet courage, radiant kindness, and a heart that defined the odds from the very beginning.
Born on July 14, 1992 with hypoplastic right heart syndrome, L-transposition, and an interrupted aortic arch, Cameron faced more in his lifetime than most ever will. Over the years, he endured numerous surgeries and procedures, including four open-heart surgeries and two open chest surgeries (for pacemaker placements and revisions), all with the bravery that left doctors, nurses, and family in awe. Cameron was also a Fontan patient.
Despite the medical complexity – what some today also call double inlet single ventricle –Cameron never let it define him. He found joy in small things, especially in video games, his friends and family, great food, and quietly giving back –including donating to the American Heart Association. He graduated high-school, took college courses, and even worked. He had his own apartment, his own car, and for a chapter no one would have guessed his underlying conditions.
In the early morning hours of July 3, 2024, just shy of his 32nd birthday, Cameron expanded into God's loving arms. And while we will forever grieve, we also remember the grace, grit, and generosity that marked his life.
#cameronstrong is more than a hashtag. It's a legacy.
#cameronstrong Week
Beginning in 2025, we will honor Cameron each year during the week of June 26 through July 3 – a sacred window of time that marked his final journey home. What will always be the most heartbreaking week of our lives is now being transformed into a week of love, kindness, and action. We invite you to join us, not only in remembering Cameron, but in living like he did: with quiet strength, fierce compassion, and a generous heart.
Here's how you can participate:
Let this week – June 26 to July 3 – be a ripple of love that spreads far beyond our own sorrow.
Because love never ends.
And where love lives, grief lives too ~
But so does transformation.
Born on July 14, 1992 with hypoplastic right heart syndrome, L-transposition, and an interrupted aortic arch, Cameron faced more in his lifetime than most ever will. Over the years, he endured numerous surgeries and procedures, including four open-heart surgeries and two open chest surgeries (for pacemaker placements and revisions), all with the bravery that left doctors, nurses, and family in awe. Cameron was also a Fontan patient.
Despite the medical complexity – what some today also call double inlet single ventricle –Cameron never let it define him. He found joy in small things, especially in video games, his friends and family, great food, and quietly giving back –including donating to the American Heart Association. He graduated high-school, took college courses, and even worked. He had his own apartment, his own car, and for a chapter no one would have guessed his underlying conditions.
In the early morning hours of July 3, 2024, just shy of his 32nd birthday, Cameron expanded into God's loving arms. And while we will forever grieve, we also remember the grace, grit, and generosity that marked his life.
#cameronstrong is more than a hashtag. It's a legacy.
#cameronstrong Week
Beginning in 2025, we will honor Cameron each year during the week of June 26 through July 3 – a sacred window of time that marked his final journey home. What will always be the most heartbreaking week of our lives is now being transformed into a week of love, kindness, and action. We invite you to join us, not only in remembering Cameron, but in living like he did: with quiet strength, fierce compassion, and a generous heart.
Here's how you can participate:
- Temporarily change your social media profile picture to the flower image he created just before his expansion (at top).
- Donate baked goods or soup to your local hospice.
- Perform an act of kindness in Cameron's name – big or small.
- Share a memory, photo, or message using the hashtag #cameronstrong.
Let this week – June 26 to July 3 – be a ripple of love that spreads far beyond our own sorrow.
Because love never ends.
And where love lives, grief lives too ~
But so does transformation.
If you would like to hear more of Cameron's story in my own words, or to witness the celebration of his life, I've included links below. These are shared with full support from his brother and sisters, from open hands and open hearts – for anyone who may need comfort, connection, or inspiration from a life so deeply loved.
This gallery begins with the last piece of art Cameron created – a flower filled with tremendous meaning – gifted to his sister 12 hours before his expansion. Please note: some of these images include medical settings and end of life moments that may be emotionally intense or sensitive for some viewers. We share them not to cause pain, but to honor the reality of Cameron's strength and to support families facing similar journeys. Viewer discretion is advised. Ascites is visible in many pictures. Scroll at your own pace, with love and care.
Feel free to click PLAY below to listen to one of Cameron's most favorite songs:
Feel free to click PLAY below to listen to one of Cameron's most favorite songs:
Cameron's Journey of Care
Cameron's medical journey was marked by many incredible caregivers across the country. At each stage, he was met with dedication, compassion, and medical excellence. We are forever grateful to the brilliant doctors, compassionate nurses, tireless teams who gave us hope, extended his life many times, and cared for Cameron as if he were their own; the first words I spoke to his very first cardiologist.
Upstate Medical University Pediatric Cardiology ~ Syracuse, NY (SUNY Upstate)
Golisano Children's Hospital (University of Rochester/Strong Memorial) ~ Rochester, NY
UF Health Shands ~ Gainesville, FL
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago
Northwestern University ~ Chicago, IL
Vanderbilt University Medical Center ~ Nashville, TN
(Where he was being evaluated for a heart transplant during his final chapter)
Gulf Coast Medical Center Emergency Department and Cardiology floor ~ Fort Myers, FL
Hope Hospice ~ Cape Coral, FL