On June 14th, 2025, just shy of her 30th birthday, Vanessa Bishop passed peacefully at home with her family by her side, after a nine-year fight with medulloblastoma.
Such a statement does not come close to capturing the indelible legacy Vanessa leaves with so many, including me.
I met Vanessa in June 2019, at the CCF Research Symposium. She arrived with her family, and after just an hour, I was under her spell — her smile, her voice, her humility, her positivity, but most of all, her grace, all radiating from a woman living with an aggressive brain tumor. Her plans were ambitious by most standards – she could not be stopped, or even slowed. Her energy was contagious. At the conclusion of her 15-minute story, the entire room of researchers, clinicians, and students leapt to their feet for a standing ovation, many wiping away tears. At that moment, Vanessa and the entire Bishop family became an integral part of the CCF community.
Vanessa was a light gone far too soon. The world is a little darker without Vanessa, leaving behind a shattered community. Her outlook never wavered—she was fierce and fearless. She taught me so much: to appreciate each day, not to sweat the small stuff, to have an open heart and to not feel sorry for her. She did not want pity, she wanted cures! Her heart will be with me and CCF forever, reminding us of why we must discover better treatments and cures for pediatric cancer.
Pediatric cancer feels unstoppable and relentless. A child can “beat” cancer, only to have it return again, and again, five times, in Vanessa’s case. Each time the cancer returns, oncologists must develop a different and more aggressive treatment plan, increasing the risk of long-term serious health impacts. The tremendous physical, emotional, and financial toll it takes on every pediatric cancer family is unacceptable. That is why CCF continues with our mission of raising funds to invest in vital local research and programs so more effective, less toxic treatments can be available to patients like Vanessa.
Over the last six years, Vanessa joined CCF at our annual Gala, always out on the dance floor, reveling in pure joy. But it was the one-on-one visits that meant the most to me. I had the privilege of visiting Vanessa several times in her home, and then her parents’ home, in West Virginia. Each visit was full of laughs, hugs and hope. Learning about her love of donuts early on launched a new tradition for our visits!
My last visit with Vanessa was in April. CCF planned to create a video, as told through Vanessa’s words and journey. I was eager to capture her spirit, her determination, and perhaps more importantly, her message so that we could share it far and wide. We planned to film Vanessa on May 14, but she wasn’t feeling up to it. We rescheduled for June 9th. Vanessa passed on June 14th, nearly six years to the day that I met her.
Please join me in remembering Vanessa Bishop– a beautiful soul who has already left her indelible mark on so many. CCF is committed to becoming her voice, ensuring critical pediatric cancer research continues.
Rest peacefully, my friend.
On behalf of The Children’s Cancer Foundation, Inc. (CCF), I extend our heartfelt sympathies to the Bishop family on the passing of their beloved Vanessa. We are heartbroken.
