Kahlil McKenzie, NFL Player (Cincinnati Bengals)

I feel so honored to even be sharing how Noah changed my life forever. I didn’t know Noah as well as his family, close friends and those who cared for him did but I felt like I did. Noah and I met in Knoxville my freshman year where he had taken a trip to Knox and wanted to hangout with some of his favorite players, already I was like wow this kid is going through all the things he is and yet he wants to hangout with me. It’s such a surreal feeling but the more I was able to talk and get to know him he was just a kid full of life, full of love and wanting the best for other people! I ended up giving Noah my number because we would talk through DMs on Twitter and I was horrible at checking those so I wanted to give him my number so he could always reach me. But Noah was the type of guy who gave me updates on how his life was going but what blew me away was how he always was trying to encourage me! Wins loses big games whatever! He was always in my corner always defending me encouraging and wanting the best for me. It blew me away because here I am trying to be there for Noah and encourage and be a friend to him and he’s flipping the switch on me I mean it was honestly amazing, and what made it so special is he never once thought he wasn’t going to win, He never once thought cancer would get the best of him. I’m an emotional guy my wife says and when we lost Noah it really messed me up I was angry with God on how he could bring such a light into my life and be so cruel as to take him away. It took me awhile but I then realized Noah’s life his light lives on forever because of the way he chose to live his life. He never backed down, he loved people, he wanted the best for people and he truly truly cared. Someone like that never ever dies he lives on through me and how he impacted and changed my life because he taught me no matter the outcome it’s all about how you fight, the fight is what makes you who you are not the result and I can’t thank God and I can’t thank Noah enough for teaching me that. I love you and I really miss you buddy.

Sereene Bedwan

Losing Noah kind of came as a shock, I knew he had rhabdomyosarcoma but something about his fighting spirit made me feel as if he wasn’t sick, I truly thought he would be here forever. I can’t remember ever hearing Noah complain.. the only messages I would receive from him that confirmed his sickness were the ones that would say “when I get out of here we’re hanging out”, referring to his hospital visits. Noah was in my life during the best days, the days I’ll never forget and I’ll have in heart forever. I will always brag about Noah. He was outgoing, confident, and so kind. Noah is all around us. Living through his family and friends who will always let his name be heard, I can’t wait for the day we get to meet again. The pictures I chose for this memory book are some of my favorite memories I have with Noah, the one of him eating the cookie on the camera is a picture I’ve had on my camera since the 5th grade Williamsburg trip and for some reason I never deleted and found it a year ago. I love you Noah, always!!

Clay Sellers

When I first met Noah, we spent a late night at Buffalo Wild Wings watching Blake do the wing challenge, and we never looked back. Noah introduced me to new music, new friends, new stories, and renewed passion for the things I love. Noah was the kind of guy that any time you spent with him was well spent, and I’ll always cherish the conversations about Logic and Mac Miller, Volunteer Football, Cam Newton, and making the most of life in every situation. Not a day goes by that I don’t think about his strength, his story, and the impact that he had on my life when I didn’t know how much I needed it. Noah forever changed my world and that was his gift from God that I’m grateful I got the opportunity to experience.

Joe, Stepdad

Noah came into my life over 10 years ago when I married his mom. I would like to say it was a smooth transition but we had some rough times over the first couple of years. As Noah got older our relationship became better. We bonded over College Football on Saturdays and the Carolina Panthers on Sundays. He even tried to teach me how to play his PS4 but I just couldn’t get the hang of it. Noah started playing Lacrosse and his love of the game was contagious....I tried to make it to every game. He wanted to play Lacrosse at The University of TN and I really wanted to make that happen for him. Noah started out as my step-son but he really became my SON. I taught him to drive, I taught him to shave, we went on trips together to Tennessee and Atlanta. Our relationship became even stronger when he got sick. Has always so happy to see me when I would go to pick him and his mom up from the hospital after his many week long in-patient treatments.

Seeing Noah’s bravery and positive attitude was something to see. I miss our weekends watching football together and yelling at him to stop switching to “The Red Zone” during every commercial - LOL. Every Sunday Noah would request Joe’s Famous Buffalo Wings and Queso and I was always happy to prepare that food for him. I miss Noah every day.