Brandi Nicole Ward

Run for the Rose Hero Photo Brandi Ward
From the moment she was born, Brandi Nicole Ward (12/30/80 to 2/17/06) was in constant motion. It was almost as if she knew her time on earth was limited. In 25 years of living she was able to accomplish more than most people do in a lifetime. She loved to travel. Whether it was mission trips with her Methodist Youth Group or snow skiing trips to Colorado and Idaho, she always had fun. Her three week stay in Ireland was a trip of a lifetime and gave her the opportunity to see another part of the world. From road trips to float the river to sky diving, she was always having good times with her wonderful group of friends. She loved children. As a teenage if she wasn’t babysitting she was teaching young children to swim. She loved Texas A & M. graduating from there in 2003. Three days later she began her teaching career. Her life was just beginning… but then her world was turned upside down. On Christmas Eve, 2003, Brandi was diagnosed with Glioblastoma brain cancer. From the very beginning her faith, strength and courage were unwavering. She defied the odds and returned to teaching just eight months after her diagnosis finally achieving her dream of being a kindergarten teacher. Thanks to the wonderful doctors at MD Anderson, she was able to teach up until three weeks before she lost her battle with brain cancer on 2/17/06. She was a friend… a sister… a daughter… a teacher… and to me, her mom, she will always be my hero.