Henry’s Celebration of Life
July 8, 2023 from 2:30-3:15 followed by a Housewarming Party until the night ends.
182 Laurel St. in Marlborough NH
We are quickly approaching April 29, which is a significant date for our family. It is the day that Henry was diagnosed with leukemia back in 2017 when he was 16 months old. We used to celebrate that anniversary with a toy drive for his pediatric oncology unit, but since his passing, we are using this anniversary to raise money for his charitable foundation. Granted we are a wee bit late in launching this year’s fundraiser.
We are doing a second annual Hike for Henry! Henry loved the outdoors. Although our hikes were small at the time (as were his cute little legs), he loves the adventure and all of the precious treasures he would find along the way. We would like for YOU to get outside and enjoy nature! You can go for a short walk, a run, a brief hike, a big hike, or anything in between! We would love for you to be outside and enjoy some nature while also thinking about our boy. Your “hike” can be any day at any time! Henry will know!
We are finalizing the details for a new shirt order. The design is similar but a bit different. If you donate $50 to GoFundMe, you will get a discount code which pretty much gets you a free tee shirt. OR, you can put the discount code towards anything else offered. If you don't want a shirt but want to donate to his foundation, you can do that by going HERE.
Donations made directly to his foundation are tax-deductible (unlike GFM).
Last year, the foundation donated to two organizations that were close to Henry's heart and our family: The Montessori Schoolhouse of Cheshire County where Henry and his siblings went to school, and the Keene Fire Department which supported Brenna, Toby, George, and Elodie through Henry's treatment. It was because of all of YOU that those donations were possible!
All donations made through this GoFundMe will be put directly into Henry's Charitable Foundation, except the money donated to purchase your "free" shirt. Again, if you just want to donate and not get any Henry swag, you can do that here: https://tinyurl.com/t9227bmf (NEW HAMPSHIRE CHARITABLE FOUNDATION)
We thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Six years ago we became a childhood cancer family, and just under 2.5 years ago we became a bereaved family. We wouldn't be where we are without all of you. Thank you for everything.
George and Elodie talk about sibling grief
George spoke with the Pediatric Advanced Care Team (PACT) at Boston Children's Hospital as a part of a presentation designed to help clinicians understand understand the sibling's perspective of losing a brother or sister. Thank you to Eleanor "Ellie" Frechette, MSW, LICSW for putting this together!
Behold the Cold 2023 - Team Henry
Thank you to everyone who contributed to the 2nd Annual ‘Behold the Cold’ Polar Plunge in support of Rett’s Roost ! Toby, Brenna, George, Elodie and family friend Kai joined 100+ other plungers jump into the Atlantic Ocean on March 5th. Team Henry raised over $500!
Behold the Cold Penguin Plunge Fundraiser for Rett’s Roost
March 5, 2023
Ogunquit Maine
Rett's Roost is one of the organizations that is helping us live our lives after Henry's death. We are learning to cope and heal all while meeting other grieving families and continuing to share Henry's story. The Iselin Family (Toby, Brenna, Elodie, George —and friend Kai) will be jumping into the cold ocean.
November 8, 2022
Two Years have passed. We love you so much Henry, we miss you so much and think of you always.
Henry David Iselin Memorial Fund.
The Henry David Iselin Memorial Fund is set up through the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation as a perpetual donor advised fund designed to give money to charitable organizations that we believe would be important to Henry. Friends and family donated the seed money to get the fund set up (thank you!). If folks would like to make a tax deductible donation to this fund, they can do so by going to https://give.nhcf.org/SupportaSpecificFund and searching for “The Henry David Iselin Memorial Fund”, or by clicking here.
The Henry David Memorial Flag Pole
Goal Reached!
A huge thank you to everyone who contributed to raise the money needed to set up the Henry David Iselin Memorial Fund. This fund will be in perpetuity, allowing money to be given away to deserving charitable organizations in Henry’s name forever. We couldn’t have done it without your support and generosity. The New Hampshire Charitable Foundation is in the process of setting up the fund. We will provide more information as soon as it is done being set up. Again, thank you.
Hike For Henry
Our (Toby, Brenna, George, Elodie and Angel Henry) #HikeforHenry started a little early! On Saturday we climbed up Monadnock, down the other side, and continued 50 miles on the Greenway trail all the way to Mt. Sunapee! It took us 3 days and 2 nights of some serious hiking! We thought of our boy Henry throughout the entire trip. Finding bits of nature he would appreciate, and when things were mentally or physically challenging, we thought of everything our brave boy endured. He fought hard and never gave up, and thinking of him gave us strength. It was an amazing family experience that we are all proud to have accomplished!
Hike for Henry!
We are having a final fundraiser to raise the remaining money to get Henry's Foundation up and running! We only need $2,750 more to go!
Something that has brought us a little bit of peace in our grieving process is getting outside with nature and hiking. We are doing a Hike for Henry!
We ask that you donate any amount, and during the weekend of April 29-May 1, you get outside and HIKE! It can be a big trek up a mountain or a leisurely stroll through the woods or on a sidewalk. Whatever gets you outside! Henry was a huge lover and appreciator of nature. He loved the tiniest rocks and bugs! These dates are especially important to us because April 29, 2017 was the day we were told Henry had leukemia, and May 1, 2017 was the day his 3.5 year cancer treatment began.
If you donate $50 or more, you will get a code for a FREE Hike for Henry t-shirt! There is also a sweatshirt or hat in our online store. The shirts will not be printed until AFTER the weekend of the hike. The apparel store is open until May 7.
We know that times are tough and there are a lot of places your precious money can go to in order to make a difference in this big world. We appreciate your consideration for donating to our small fund. And again, once we have the full $25,000, we will be able to officially create the Henry David Iselin Memorial Foundation. We will then be able to donate money to organizations that support causes that were close to Henry. Suggestions are welcome! We want to keep Henry's name alive and spread goodness through his name.
What is the meaning behind the tee-shirt?
The front of the shirt shows a family of 4 on a hike with a blue star with them. The blue star represents Henry accompanying Toby, Brenna, George, and Elodie on a hike up Mt. Monadnock. On the back of the shirt, the multicolored ribbon stands for two causes - orange represents leukemia, and gold represents childhood cancer. Finally, the term "Kids deserve more than 4" is a common term in the world of childhood cancer. Of all of the cancer funding in the United States, only 4% goes to childhood cancers. We hope this one simple statement sparks education and conversation.
**How to donate**
You can donate through this GoFundMe page. Be on the lookout afterward for the thank you response that includes your code for a free tee-shirt (if you donate $50 or more). Another way to donate is to send a check to Toby and Brenna:
70 Dickinson Rd. Keene, NH 03431
Here is the link to our apparel store:
https://hikeforhenry.secure-decoration.com/
Once again, and as always, thank you for any support you have given to Henry and our family. We feel it every single day, and it helps us carry on
Team Henry the Brave
Polar Plunge, Behold the Cold, March 6, 2022. In Honor of Henry, Toby, Brenna, and George all jumped into the cold water to raise money for Rett’s Roost. Thank you to everyone who supported us and donated!
Team Henry Polar Plunge - Behold the Cold
On March 6th at 11:00am, Toby and Brenna will jump into the icy cold water to raise money for Rett’s Roost. Rett’s Roost has brought so much support and comfort to Toby and Brenna while coping with the death of their beloved Henry the Brave. It’s an incredible organization for grieving families. Having other people that can relate to the devastating loss is one of the invaluable things keeping Toby and Brenna going. Rett’s Roost is founded in the memory of dear baby Rett, who passed 7 years ago. We are honored to raise funds to support this incredible group. Visit the Behold The Cold webpage for more information and to donate.
In Loving Memory, by Toby Iselin
Henry PACT Presentation
The PACT team at Boston Children’s Hospital recently put together a presentation for BCH providers of children near the end of their lives. They interviewed Toby and Brenna along with other families to share experiences and reflections on how to best support families at the end of life. Below is Henry’s video.
Hiking with Henry
Shining morning light
You are with me by my side
Thank you for your love
Monadnock, January 8, 2021
Happy Birthday Henry!
Henry was born on December 23, 2015. Today we celebrate his birthday along with his twin Elodie. Below is a picture from Henry’s 4th birthday and a couple of pictures from his memorial spot (Henry’s Spot) from earlier today. Happy 6th birthday Henry.
Henry and Elodie’s fourth birthday.
Henry’s memorial spot (Henry’s Spot") December 23, 2021.
Updated Mailing Address:
Toby & Brenna Iselin
70 Dickinson Rd.
Keene, NH 03431
A huge thank you to everyone who has been contributing to raise funds for Henry’s Memorial Fund. We are about $5,000 away from our goal. Many of you have been sending in checks so that the Go Fund Me doesn’t take a fee. If you would like to do this, please note the updated mailing address.
Again, thank you to everyone for helping to set up a fund which will do good in this world while keeping Henry’s name alive!
https://www.gofundme.com/f/henry-david-iselin-memorial-foundation?qid=290290293759a5cabd524e20ebe5939c
Hello to all whose lives were touched by our precious and heroic #HENRYTHEBRAVE.
As we are coming to the first anniversary of Henry’s passing (Nov. 8, 2020) we are ready to launch a new campaign. Brenna and Toby are sure you can all understand the extreme mixture of emotions they’ve faced during this last year. They’ve been sad, frustrated, heartbroken, confused, and devastated to name a few. Together they’ve worked to try to find a way to make sense and meaning of their emotions by turning to Henry’s memory. As Henry’s parents they are the guardians of his spirit and have vowed to keep his memory alive.
They have heard many stories about how Henry’s illness and passing has helped others in their appreciation of time with their own families. So many have told them that they have taken an extra pause for patience in realizing how lucky they are to have their child, because of Henry’s story.
Henry has been spreading goodness and joy since he was a little baby. His smiles! His hugs! His giggles! Brenna and Toby want to continue spreading goodness in Henry’s name.
They want to set up a donor-advised fund through the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation. It will be named the HENRY DAVID ISELIN MEMORIAL. They have already begun working with the Foundation to make this happen but they need your help. In order to kick this off they ground they need a total of $25,000. They’ve already saved $12,500 towards this goal. Once they have the base amount then they’re able to use the fund’s proceeds to give back to nonprofit groups and organizations that were important to Henry. They can give these organizations money from this foundation in Henry’s name. Once Henry’s foundation is off the ground then donations made to it will be tax deductible. Brenna and Toby hope to have an annual fundraiser to keep the seed money growing which will keep Henry’s name and legacy alive.
From Brenna, “You have all been such amazing supporters of Henry and our family. We don’t ask for your support lightly. We are grateful for all you have done for our sweet boy and our family. This is our next endeavor, and we hope you will join us in this next journey.”
Please continue to keep the Iselin Family in your prayers, chants, meditations and all that good stuff! They feel your love.
Peace and love,
GAM~GreatAuntMindy
Henry’s Pollinator Garden
On October 28, 2021, the Montessori School House of Cheshire County, where Henry went to school as a toddler and preschooler, dedicated a Pollinator Garden to Henry. The Pollinator Garden will provide a sanctuary for butterflies, bees, and other pollinating insects while teaching young children about the circle of life. Henry would have loved this garden —I’m sure he will be a frequent visitor as an angel. A huge thank you to the Montessori Schoolhouse and board of directors, the Keene Fire Department, and all the volunteers who made this happen. Such a special way to memorialize Henry.
Henry’s Spot Bench & Tractor
Henry’s bench and tractor have been installed at Henry’s Spot. Henry’s Spot now has an address as that is where we are building a home so that we can feel closer to Henry. 182 Laurel Street in Marlborough, NH —all are always welcome to come and visit Henry’s Spot. Now that the bench and tractor have both been installed, we can start making his spot more of a permanent (though ever changing) memorial.
Thank you!
A huge thank you to everyone who helped out with Henry’s lemonade stand on June 26th! You all helped us raise $2,138 to help find a cure childhood cancer. Alex’s Lemonade Stand provides funding for research for many different types of childhood cancers in hopes that one day more successful treatments are available for children, and that the survival rate can improve.
To date, Henry has raised over $12,500! Visit Henry’s Alex’s Lemonade Stand page to learn more and to donate.
Henry David Iselin
Lemonade Stand in Honor of Henry!
Come help support the fight against childhood cancer by purchasing a lemonade from an Alex’s Lemonade Stand. The Iselin Family is hosting a lemonade stand for Alex’s Lemonade Stand on Saturday, June 26 from 11-1pm at the Montessori Schoolhouse of Cheshire County. The Iselins lost their 4.5 year old son Henry to complications from his leukemia treatment in November 2020 at Boston Children’s Hospital. He was a student at Montessori before he died. Alex’s Lemonade Stand provides funding for research for many different types of childhood cancers in hopes that one day more successful treatments are available for children, and that the survival rate can improve.
Montessori Schoolhouse of Cheshire County, 28 Hurricane Road in Keene, NH 03431
Donate here: https://www.alexslemonade.org/mypage/2534872