Update 2/25/2024:
Ayanna Z. Culler “YANNI” was received in Heaven on Tuesday, February 25, 2020. Ayanna was comforted and surrounded with love at her home as she passed and was greeted by her loved ones in Heaven. Ayanna had great Faith, loved the Lord, and inspired eveyone she knew.
Ayanna was a great example of perserverance and lived a full life eventhough she was 13 years of age. Ayanna lived daily by her own motto of “ Work Hard and Be Kind” which defines what it means to be YANNI STRONG! Yanni will definitely be missed by many.
Prior Message:
Thank you for supporting me and the more than 300,000 kids worldwide who will be diagnosed with cancer this year. By sharing the gifts of your time, talent and money with the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, you're supporting research to give all kids with cancer a better chance for a cure.
FLOWERS-"I have a castle in me that lets me play.
I have a rainbow in me that stretches happiness when I dance to music.I have a mirror in me that reflects joy. I have a fairy in me that brings me flowers when I wake up. I have a mask in me that hides worms of worry.I have a God in me that takes away my cancer and plants good news.I have a sun in me that shines when I wake up.I am going to let it shine."By Ayanna.
Ayanna was diagnosed with Stage 4 Neuroblastoma Cancer in June 2014. Approximately 2 months prior to being diagnosed, Ayanna had lost her grandfather as a result of his cancer. As a child being diagnosed and challenged with a life threatening illness, What do you do and How do you do it (Fight Cancer)? The above poem written by Ayanna while undergoing intense Chemotherapy explains her story. At age 7, Ayanna was faced with months of intense chemotherapy, rounds of radiation, several surgeries and a Stem Cell Transplant. With trust in God, love and support from family and friends and an AWESOME medical staff, Ayanna successfully made it through a very rough journey. CANCER FREE since JUNE 2015. Through her inner strength, determination and strong will, Ayanna found time to have a childhood with her dancing, playing, reading, etc. while undergoing treatment for her illness. The hospital became a temporary home and the medial staff became a second family. Through it all she maintained her Faith, held on to her Joy and remained herself.As parents of a child going through such an experience you learn as a family to appreciate and recognize the outside support that you receive from sources full of caring people who you may not know you, but who share your pain, your worry and your journey through their unlimited love and support. Thanks, with Love and Gratitude to everyone who has been part of the YANNI STRONG journey.
