Children hear everything you say and copy everything you do! As a first grade teacher for Westerville City Schools, Mary Taylor knows this all too well and set out to be the good example for all children. In 2010, one of her first grade students, Faith Pruden, was diagnosed with an inoperable brain cancer. During Faith’s five-month illness, Mary worked tirelessly to raise money to give Faith unforgettable experiences such as Christmas in July, an early birthday party, a prom date, and trips to Disney World and New York City. Faith asked Mary to promise her to never let anyone forget her. It was that moment that inspired Mary to begin the Faith Pruden Memorial Scholarship and the Friends of Faith Pruden Foundation. The foundation is dedicated to providing emotional and financial support to children with cancer and their families. Faith lost her battle less than a year after diagnosis.
Since December, 2010, Mary has helped raise over $19,000 to fund the Memorial Scholarship that is awarded each spring to a Westerville High School senior who will be attending a traditional or non-traditional college studying cosmetology, the arts, fire services or culinary arts. So far they have awarded $6,000 and this year the scholarship has been increased to $2,000. In 2013 the Scholarship evolved into its own non-profit; the Friends of Faith Pruden Foundation. Since then over $16,000 has been raised and used to promote Gold Ribbon Awareness, support kids and their families at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, and sponsor a $1,000 scholarship for “Cancer Kids.”
Mary has also organized the wearing of gold ribbons on football helmets at area high school games to raise awareness for Childhood Cancer. Recently, the foundation has become a permanent room sponsor at the Central Ohio Ronald McDonald House and is providing cakes to children who are celebrating birthdays while staying at the house.
Mary is currently on medical disability and just recently had major heart surgery as she suffers from Marfan Syndrome. In 2015, she survived a Type A aortic dissection and had life-saving surgery. Between doctor appointment follow-ups, Mary works on those things she loves while she is not working and because her husband, Ron, is truly amazing. “He does it all…literally; grocery shopping, meal prep and clean up, laundry and works full-time…everything! I also get help and support from my daughters, family and many friends.”
Through her own personal struggles, Mary never complains and keeps a very positive outlook on life. She’s continued to be an advocate for children with cancer and her heroes are all the cancer kids she has met since the foundation began. She wants everyone to remember that “there is nothing more powerful than a promise made to a child.”
For more information about the Friends of Faith Pruden Foundation, please visit www.faithprudenfoundation.org.