Our Inspiration
Philomena "Bean" Stendardo
Pint-sized but fierce, her spirit continues to inspire a movement
2009 – 2017
A Little Bean with a Big Heart
Philomena was a one-of-a-kind, spunky little firecracker with the gift of joy. She had a way of walking straight into the heart of everyone she met, without exception.
An exceptional athlete, a devoted student, and a loving little sister to her brother Marky. Bean excelled at everything she did.
A Family's World Turned Upside Down
On September 15, 2016, seven-year-old Bean was diagnosed with Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG), a devastating and inoperable brain tumor with no known cure and a 0% survival rate.
In an instant, everything changed. But Bean's family did what they had always done: they came together, held on to their faith, and refused to let fear have the last word.
Ten Months of Courage
For ten months, Bean fought with a courage far beyond her years. She never complained. She kept playing soccer after her diagnosis, kept going to school, kept being Bean.
Her family surrounded her with love, making every day count. Through Make-A-Wish, Bean traveled to Rome and met Pope Francis. Over 20,000 people joined their prayer community, lifting her up every single day.
"Though she be but little, she is fierce."
— William Shakespeare, A Midsummer Night's Dream
A Spirit That Couldn't Be Dimmed
Even through treatment, Bean never lost what made her Bean. She laughed. She played. She made the doctors and nurses smile as much as they made her smile.
She showed everyone around her what it looks like to be brave: not fearless, but joyful in spite of it all.
Storm The Heavens
Bean passed away on July 23, 2017. One month later, her parents Mina and Mark established Storm The Heavens Fund, turning their grief into action.
The name comes from the community that formed around Bean during her fight: thousands of people, united in prayer, storming the heavens for a miracle. That community never disbanded. It grew.
Every dollar raised, every prayer offered, every moment of awareness carries Bean's spirit forward in the fight for a cure.
Forever in Our Hearts
As Bean's mother Mina has said: "As a parent, one of my greatest fears is that the world will forget her."
We won't. Her memory drives this fight forward every single day, so that one day, no family will have to hear the words "Your child has DIPG."
Bean's Lasting Impact
$0
Donated to Research
1000s
Lives Touched
Continue Bean's Fight
Help us honor Bean's memory by supporting DIPG research. Every contribution brings us closer to a cure.
