On June 21st, 2016, Hayden Benjamin Hand passed away at home surrounded by his loving family and friends. He was 12 years old.
Hayden was born in Shawnee Mission, Kansas, on February 27th, 2004, to mother Rita Duke and father Fred Hand. Hayden was a funny, curious, and delightful young man and a beloved member of the Basehor community. He loved playing football, basketball, and baseball. As an avid comic book reader, Hayden started a comic book club at Basehor Middle School. He also loved movies, video games, and especially chicken fingers.
After being diagnosed with brain cancer and throughout his treatments, he never lost his sense of humor, cheerful demeanor, and caring soul. Hayden is and was a truly unique and brave individual. We are all heartbroken that he is not able to share his gifts with the world as an adult. His spiritual strength and fortitude were a constant during his fight with cancer, and his steadfast faith is an inspiration and a comfort to all of those who love him.
Hayden is survived by his mother and father, sisters Katie Duke and Jordan Hand, brothers Jacob Duke and Gunnar Hand, and his nieces and nephew.
A public celebration of life will be held on Friday, June 24th, 2016, at Westside Church (8500 Woodsonia Dr., Lenexa, KS 66227). The visitation will begin at 3 PM with the service at 4 PM. Memorial donations can be made to one of the following foundations in Hayden’s honor so that someday families will not have to experience our same grief with children’s cancer:
Children's Brain Tumor Foundation
www.cbtf.org

Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation
www.curethekids.org

There is a memorial scholarship set up for the Class of 2022 at BLHS. Donations can be sent to:
Hayden Hand Memorial Fund
c/o the Basehor-Linwood Education Foundation at 2008 N. 155th St., Basehor, KS 66007