Family… For Paul, that word meant everything. And this December, the KARE Foundation is honoring Paul’s legacy in the most meaningful way—by standing beside one of our own.

We recently learned that our cousin Karyn’s grandson, Dylan Chahmirian, was diagnosed in September with Stage 4 Hodgkin's Lymphoma, just weeks before celebrating his 17th birthday. When the board heard Dylan’s story, there was no hesitation. We knew immediately that the KARE Foundation needed to support Karyn’s son, Jack, as their family navigates the unthinkable.

Cancer may not be our usual mission, but every decision we make starts with a single question: “What would Paul do?” And in this case, the answer was unmistakably clear. Paul would be the first to step up. He would wrap this family in love. He would help. We know he would be proud to see the foundation doing exactly that.

Dylan’s journey began this summer when he suddenly wasn’t himself—exhausted, coughing, struggling to feel well. After he found a lump in his neck, his dad Jack took Dylan to the pediatrician and that is when this journey begins. What followed were several agonizing days in the hospital and a diagnosis that shook the entire family: Stage 4 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.

But even in devastating moments, hope has a way of breaking through. Dylan was immediately fast-tracked into an immunology treatment trial, available only to stage 4 patients, giving him access to cutting-edge care. He has now completed his sixth round of infusions and is tolerating treatment with remarkable strength. And then—finally—some desperately needed good news: a recent PET scan showed results as promising as the doctors could possibly hope for.

Through it all, Dylan continues to be everything a family could pray for in a fighter—positive, patient, confident, and determined. A high-school senior whose world was turned upside down, he refuses to let cancer define his year or derail his dreams. He’s pushing forward with school, looking ahead to college, and keeping his vision for the future bright and intact. This cancer diagnosis has changed the trajectory of what Dylan thought would be the career he would pursue… from finance to now looking at colleges to become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA). He is also hoping to be well enough to resume his role as the goalie for the varsity lacrosse team!!

Dylan is surrounded by an army of people who love him, believe in him, and draw inspiration from the strength he shows every single day. This will be only one chapter in his story—a difficult one, yes, but ultimately a chapter of courage, resilience, and triumph.

His senior year may look different than he imagined, but our hearts, hopes, and prayers are with him as he continues this fight. We believe in Dylan. We believe in his future. And we are proud to honor Paul by standing beside the Chahmirian family every step of the way.