C-NS Sophomore Honors his Childhood Best Friend’s Memory with “Crush Cancer” Event Oct. 22 and 23

Kevin Toms is pictured with Griffin Engle's grandmother, Marion Lake, at the 2021 Can Crush Cancer fundraiser.

Kevin Toms is a typical sophomore at Cicero-North Syracuse High School. He loves sneakers, snowboarding and soccer and spends time with family and friends when he isn’t in school. What may not be quite so typical is the lofty goal Kevin has set for himself by the time he graduates. For years, Kevin has been working hard to raise money in memory of his best friend from childhood, Griffin Engle. Griffin died of cancer when he was just seven years old and he and Kevin were schoolmates at Cicero Elementary School. Kevin’s mom, Lori Lake Toms, shares that the two best friends had a special relationship. She said, “The boys were friends since they were in UPK together. The loss of Griffin and Griffin’s journey changed him forever.” This is the third year Kevin, who is now 15, has organized a bottle and can drive in memory of Griffin. Over the years, Kevin has raised $7,700. By the time he graduates from C-NS, Kevin hopes to bring that total to $20,000. As part of his “Crush Cancer” campaign, Kevin is holding a bottle and can drive this weekend and hopes the event helps him get halfway to his overall goal.

Lori hopes to help her son get the word out about this weekend’s event so he can reach his goal and truly “crush” cancer. She said, “[Kevin] truly has a passion for helping kids and bringing awareness. The event and his volunteer work are how he deals with the pain.” This weekend’s “Can Crush Cancer” bottle and can drive will take place both Saturday and Sunday (Oct. 22 and 23) at Griffin’s Guardians (8116 Brewerton Rd.) in Cicero. Families are welcome to drop off their bottles and cans either day from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Griffin’s mother, Erin Engle, spoke recently about the greater Cicero community and the support her family has received. She said, “Our family has been blessed with this community’s support since the moment Griffin was diagnosed. We have been carried throughout the difficult times and celebrated during the times of triumph by our community. I always say that Griffin has brought some amazing people into our lives that have become our friends. From the inception of our charity, we have always stressed the importance and desire to have our youth be an intricate piece to the organization.” Erin also offered her gratitude to Kevin for organizing this weekend’s event and his ongoing efforts to honor her son’s memory. “Kevin Toms is an example of our youth, pulling people together to make a difference with his Can Crush Cancer fundraiser,” Erin said. “Through his fundraiser he is bringing a community together to fight against pediatric cancer but he is also honoring his best friend, Griffin, and carrying on his legacy.”

Kevin Toms and Griffin Engle were childhood best friends. Kevin is raising money to support children with cancer.

If you would like to donate to Griffin’s Guardians in support of Kevin Toms’ Can Crush Cancer event but do not have bottles and cans, please go to https://www.griffinsguardians.org/can-crush-cancer.html to make a virtual donation. All donations will be entered into a drawing for a $250 Visa gift card.