Cancer claims life of Utah teen devoted to 'making lemonade'


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FARMINGTON — “Do you want a free lemon today so that you can make lemonade?”

That was the question asked to strangers surrounding the ice rink at Farmington’s Station Park shopping center last weekend. On Feb. 15, dozens of people wearing t-shirts that read “Life: Make Lemonade” flooded the common area to hand out boxes of lemons.

It was all for 15-year-old Dallin Hess. Diagnosed with cancer in 2011, Dallin had on his bucket list passing out lemons as one of the things to do before he died.

“We’ve always had a really wonderful saying in our family that if life hands you lemons, you make lemonade,” said Sydney Hess, Dallin’s older sister.

The Hess family knows a thing or two about making the most out of what life hands you. That’s because life handed them cancer.

Besides Dallin, Sydney survived breast cancer at age 12, younger sister Alexis died from a rare form of cancer when she was 3, and their father, Travis Hess, died last April after battles with cancer that spanned 20 years.

A few years ago doctors confirmed that the Hess family has Li-Fraumeni syndrome, a rare disorder that makes them more susceptible to cancer.

“We’re missing a gene that fights off cancer,” Sydney said. “We get cancer all the time, kind of how other families get colds.”


I think everyone wants to leave this world feeling like they've made a difference or had people that love them.

–Amber Hess Nye, sister


As bleak as a future like that might sound, Dallin always stayed positive — even when doctors told him his cancer was terminal.

One day during his stay at Primary Children’s, “He was just puking through chemo,” said Dallin’s mother, Sherry Wheeler. Even though he was miserable, he told his mom that he wanted to put “Life” on the front of a t-shirt and go out and hand out lemons.

Initially she was perplexed by the idea.

“He was like, ‘duh Mom, when life hands you lemons, go make lemonade,’” Sherry recalled.

Flash forward to last Saturday, when Dallin — along with his family and friends — put his idea into action. Their hope is to spread the message that no matter what life hands you, something sweet can come from something sour.

“I think it’s pretty wise of this young man to even think of doing something like this,” said one woman who accepted a lemon. “Maybe it’s a good thing for all of us here.”

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Another woman gave Sydney a hug as Sydney told Dallin’s story and how their family has battled cancer all her life.

“I explained to her that our son is a cancer survivor,” she said. “We’re all in this together. Cancer can’t take that away. It can’t take away love.”

Too sick to come out of the car, Dallin watched as others fulfilled his wish. The student at Centennial Junior High School in Kaysville was surrounded by friends and classmates who loved him.

“I think it’s hard to remember when you’re lying in bed and not feeling good that you’re really loved,” said Wheeler. “This has been so good for Dallin to just see how many people he’s affected. And when he leaves, we’ll really miss him.”

That reality is bittersweet. Four days after Dallin’s lemon project, he lost his long-time battle with cancer. He passed away peacefully on Feb. 19, days after his 15th birthday.

“I think everyone wants to leave this world feeling like they’ve made a difference or had people that love them,” said Dallin’s sister, Amber Hess Nye.


To order the “Life: Make Lemonade” shirts visit dallinslemonade.blogspot.com.

To his friends and family, and the strangers who accepted lemons on his behalf, Dallin did just that. Friends are even taking orders for his “Life: Make Lemonade” shirts to help spread Dallin’s message and to aid the family in medical and funeral expenses.

“We are celebrating Dallin. He was always positive and always looking for the funny side of things,” said Wheeler. “He just wanted to remind us all that life’s not always fun.”

And to always make lemonade out of even the most sour of lemons.

*An account has been set up at Wells Fargo in the name of Chris Quarnberg for the Benefit of Dallin Hess.

To order the “Life: Make Lemonade” shirts visit dallinslemonade.blogspot.com.

*Disclaimer: ksl.com has not verified the accuracy of the information provided with respect to the account nor does ksl.com assure that the monies deposited will be applied for the benefit of the persons named as beneficiaries. If you are considering a deposit or donation you should consult your own advisors and otherwise proceed at your own risk.*

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