Clayton Dabney was born on February 26, 1989. If you are into astrology, then you know he was a Pisces. According to some astrologers, people born under this sign are selfless and highly sensitive. That pretty much described Clayton.
Before he was 6 years old, he told his parents, Shelby and Scott Dabney of two encounters with angels. When he was 3, he “fell off a pier and into the water. Unable to swim and in complete darkness he did not panic. Instead he was drawn to a bright light that Clayton knew was an angel. The angel told Clayton that this was not his time and to reach up for his mother’s hand immediately. He did, and his mother pulled him to safety. The second event happened many years later after Clayton had been diagnosed with cancer and was lying in a hospital bed alone one night. That night the angels visited him again and provided the comfort he needed.”
Perhaps it was this sense of calm that helped him through his battle with a muscle tissue cancer that’s very name is overwhelming just to read (“rhabdomyosarcoma”). That peaceful but courageous state also helped his parents, family and friends through the 6-year-old’s final days and the years to come. So much so, that they determined that Clayton’s life would not be a just a memory. Rather, it would serve as an inspiration to help others who had children dying from cancer. Realizing that many families weren’t as fortunate as the Dabneys to have the resources to be with their terminally ill children, the Clayton Dabney for Kids With Cancer nonprofit was created to provide “needy families who struggle with the effects of a child dying from cancer.”
In celebration of what would have been Clayton’s 25th birthday, “Clayton’s Celebration” lunch will be held at the Dallas Country Club with a luncheon, “fun, games and special moments” celebrating “Clayton’s legacy and the 2,500 terminally ill children that the Clayton Dabney Foundation has served over the last 19 years with last wishes, gifts, family travel and much-needed financial assistance, all done anonymously.”
Somehow, one can’t help but think that Clayton and his angel buddies will be present, if only in spirit, to support his mom, Shelby, who will be the keynote speaker on this very special day.
* Photo and graphic courtesy of Clayton Dabney for Kids with Cancer