Our Founders

  • Mrs. Wilhelmena R. Priest, Founder

    Wilhelmena is the mother of the honoree, Lewis Xavier Priest. She is supported by co-founders Lewis Vance Priest, her husband, and Jasmine E. Smith, their daughter. Together, they work to ensure families caring for sick children don’t experience undue financial strain.

  • Mr. Lewis V. Priest, Co-Founder

    Alongside their daughter, Jasmine E. Smith, Lewis proudly supports Wilhelmena in her heartfelt mission to ease the financial burdens of families caring for sick children, so they can focus on what matters most—their children’s health and well-being.

  • Dr. Jasmine E. Smith, Co-Founder

    Preserving her brother’s memory, Jasmine became a pediatrician, specifically a pediatric oncologist, treating children with cancer, after completing a three-year residency at Diamon Children’s Medical Center in Tucson, AZ and a three-year fellowship at St. Jude Children’s Hospital in Memphis, TN. She is currently employed with the Federal Drug Administration (FDA), helping find a cure for children’s cancers.

Wilhelmena’s Why

Lewis was diagnosed in 2010 with osteosarcoma at the early age of fourteen. He underwent grueling chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy treatments, and countless surgeries. Most of the treatment process was an uphill battle, from receiving negative reports to dealing with degrading and sometimes unmanageable side effects. The most amazing part of the whole daunting experience was caring for Lewis and watching how he handled all of the trauma. Lewis was the patient but was always the shining star with a smiling face and positive attitude. He was truly the anchor that kept the Priest family together.

Lewis’ spirit was never shaken. He may have been startled at times, but he never allowed his mother or other members of the family to see his weak side. He always reassured his family that everything would be all right because it was in God’s hands. Lewis received his angel wings and checked into Heaven on December 11, 2016. Lewis received his healing in Heaven instead of here on Earth despite how badly we would have preferred the latter. The family accepted this blessing and now want to support other families still going through this nightmare.