Family honors son through annual gift donations for patients at Beacon Children’s Hospital
The Allman family unloads gifts to be delivered to Beacon Children’s Hospital patients.
Tyler Allman’s natural ability for sports was interrupted after he received a Batten Disease diagnosis as a child. Batten Disease is a rare, fatal disorder that has no cure.
The disease progressed as Tyler aged. He lost his vision, suffered from seizures and became confined to a wheelchair during the last five years of his life.
Tyler’s drive to live life to the fullest despite his limitations inspired his classmates and his community. He found joy in listening to the games of his favorite sports teams the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Chicago Cubs.
Tyler lost his battle with Batten Disease five years ago in January. Through their grief, his family decided the best way to honor his life and legacy would be giving to others in his name.
Royer and Heather Allman along with their son Ryan established TEAM TYLER~ Supporting The Beyond Batten Disease Foundation to help find a cure for the condition. Through TEAM TYLER, Heather also created Tyler’s Peace Angels as a means of giving gifts to children receiving medical care in the hospital over the holidays. Beacon Children’s Hospital teams provided care to Tyler throughout his life, including several Christmas stays, so his family donates there annually during the holidays.
Tyler’s Peace Angels give gifts to benefit children who have had surgery, are receiving chemo or undergoing other treatments. They also choose gifts to help siblings and parents process grief.
This holiday season, Beacon Child Life Specialists received over 500 gifts from Tyler’s Peace Angels 5th Annual Gift Giving. They will distribute the gifts to patients and their families to add some brightness to their stay. The organization has raised over $13,000 and purchased 1,400 gifts over the past five years. This year’s fifth-year anniversary milestone set a record, besting last year’s donation of 300 gifts.
While it has been an overwhelming journey for the family, they have found comfort knowing Tyler’s memory lives through the joy their donations bring to the community.
“We’d love to thank the community for the continued support they’ve given to us and Beacon Children’s Hospital over the years,” said Heather. “You are the ones who have kept Tyler’s spirit alive and his memory going through helping out other children.”
