(COLORADO SPRINGS) — Remembered as being admired by many for his courage and faith, Colorado Springs teen Daniel Giffin, who bravely battled aggressive brain cancer for several years, passed over the weekend.
“At 11:44 p.m. Sunday night, my beautiful son Daniel Giffin, surrounded by family, very peacefully passed onto heaven,” his mom, Torie Giffin, owner of the local Buffalo Lodge Bicycle Resort, wrote.
Daniel was put into hospice care back in April after a six-and-a-half-year battle.
“Daniel was just four days from his 18th birthday, but I believe Daniel’s life was not a life cut short, but a life lived to its fullest and fulfilled,” his mom wrote. “He was admired by so many for this courage and faith, and I was the honored, privileged, and proud mom who got to witness it firsthand.”
Courtesy: Torie Giffin
Daniel’s story has reached the hearts of many throughout the years, most recently to the host and contestants of “Survivor,” who cheered him on during the last days of his fight.
“Jeff Probst and the team from Survivor 50, now IN PRODUCTION in Fiji, made a special behind-the-scenes video with the cast for Daniel and I with a special message,” Torie wrote. In the video, shared by Torie on June 19, Probst said in part, “We just want to tell you [Daniel], that we are all thinking about you right now and I know you got your mom, Torie, there and just know, that you have a lot of love coming your way.”
In the same post, his mom described the show as a family favorite and said that during the past year, she and Daniel were rewatching the series together as they spent more time at home and in the hospital.
While Survivor’s “Boston” Rob Mariano also recorded a special message for Daniel, he took it a step further and even Facetimed with Daniel while he was on vacation with his family.
“One of Daniel’s favorite all-time cast members is Boston Rob,” Torie wrote. “It does just restore your faith in humanity to see so many people who care.”
Mariano can be heard saying to Daniel, “I hear that right now you are in a big fight and I just want to let you know that we are all behind you, we love you, we’re supporting you, hang in there, be strong and be tough and just know that you have the entire Survivor team behind you.”
While Daniel loved watching the stars, Daniel was one himself.
“He climbed Pikes Peak on a unicycle at the age of 11,” his mom recalled, “and went on to inspire us all throughout his 6 1/2 year battle with an aggressive brain cancer.”
Back in May 2019, our team met with Daniel after he was diagnosed with brain cancer the year before, in December. While it was a lot to take in at 11 years old, Daniel’s love for his family prevailed over all else.
“I’ve got my family and I’ve got God,” he shared with us that day in May.
Courtesy: FOX21 News
“Despite the recurrence, he never asked ‘Why me’ or felt sorry for himself,” his mom said. “He believed God made him for a great purpose, and it was to inspire others to share the same peace.”
A Celebration of Life for Daniel will be held at Weidner Field on Monday, June 30, at 10 a.m.
“…[We] are inviting family, friends, and everyone who has prayed for us, and been encouraged to come,” Torie wrote, “we have a venue that will fit 1,000 – 2,500.”
Torie thanked the generosity of friends who helped secure the special venue in honor of Daniel. “Its significance is that when it was being built, Daniel signed the top beam of the stadium, and he enjoyed many games there.”
Courtesy: Torie Giffin
To send a message to the family, cards can be sent to the Buffalo Lodge Bicycle Resort at 2 El Paso Blvd., Colorado Springs, CO, 80904.
The Giffin family asks that all monetary gifts be sent to the Children’s Hospital of Colorado in Daniel’s name.
