About Benji

On August 6, 2024, Benji tragically passed away at the age of 17 from a delayed anaphylactic attack to ingesting food containing dairy ingredients while at sleepover camp. His life was cut short, but the impact he made in his brief time here will resonate forever. Benji’s spirit—his resilience, his love, and his unmatched ability to see and ease the pain in others—lives on in each of us who had the privilege to know him.

From the moment Benji was born, his life was a testament to strength. Born prematurely, and with lung complications, he shattered the limits placed on him and refused to be contained. Every day of his life was a celebration of living fully—breathing deeply, embracing every moment, and reminding us all that nothing should be taken for granted. To Benji, every breath had meaning, and every moment was an opportunity to love and be loved.

What truly made Benji special was his boundless empathy. Being anaphylactic to dairy, egg, and nuts as well as severely asthmatic, his struggles were many, but they never hardened him; they fueled him. Instead of retreating into himself, Benji reached out, drawn instinctively toward those in need. It didn’t matter if their struggles mirrored his own. If someone needed a friend, a shoulder, or just a moment of light, Benji was there—always. His kindness wasn’t prompted; it was innate. His ability to lift others, to make them feel seen and valued, was extraordinary. That was Benji: a friend to all, especially to those who felt alone.