“We can’t end here.”

Marco and his family, including his older brother Maximo, were leaving a UK football game in September of 2018 when Marco was struck by a vehicle. Marco was taken to Kentucky Children’s Hospital, but his injuries were not survivable, and he passed away two days later.

“The first intentional act of kindness we did in honor of Marco was organ donation. We wanted to repay the kindness we’d received and give someone else an opportunity to live a more fulfilling life.” Marco’s sacrifice was marked with the hospital’s first Honor Walk, with staff and caretakers lining the halls to say goodbye.

“Marco was the first Honor Walk at UK HealthCare,” Liz said. “I can’t find the words to say how special that whole experience was—for them to honor Marco and his life in such a big way, and to continue that legacy by letting other families have that opportunity.”

To continue spreading acts of kindness in Marco’s name, his family started the Marco Shemwell Foundation, which is dedicated to creating moments of joy and ripples of positive change. The Foundation has achieved that aim with projects big and small, including distributing birthday boxes containing cake mix, candles, frosting, cards and toys to local kids. So far, they’ve put together more than 1,600.

“This has given us a way to celebrate Marco’s birthday without him here. I originally thought they would be given to kids in financial need, but these are for any kids in need of kindness. It’s not just a box—it’s a child who gets to celebrate.”

In addition to the birthday boxes, Marco’s brother Maximo has led the charge to collect toys for the Child Life program at Kentucky Children’s Hospital. From helping break the news about Marco to taking care of Maximo during Marco’s organ donation process, the Child Life team helped Maximo cope with a traumatic and tragic situation in a way that he could handle. That kindness made a lasting impression on him.