Live Oak — Caden is the seven-year-old son of Jared and Stephanie Corby of Knoxville, Tennessee. The Corby family is very close to us, and they have kept up with all the happenings of our little Gage via phone calls and face book postings.


Gage is the seven-year-old son of Michael and Candie Landen Tanner of Pearson, Ga.; the grandson of Ted and Ton Landen, Debra Brown, and the great grandson of Winona Landen of Live Oak.

Gage was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor on April 13, 2012. This healthy seven-year-old boy was thinking of someone less fortunate than himself during his birthday. Caden approached his mother a few weeks prior to his birthday asking could he donate all his birthday presents to Gage in the hospital. The decision was made to take up donations instead. When the birthday invitations were sent out, there was a letter enclosed telling about Gage's condition and that Caden would like donations for Gage opposed to birthday presents at his party. With that being said, I arrived at the bowling alley birthday party, after spending a week at the hospital with Gage, just in time to see this incredible little boy and his unselfish act of love. There were at least 35 children at this birthday party, and NO gifts. Only one lone box sat on a table that had a birthday hat on top and writing on the side that said "Donations for Gage". Caden had set a goal of $50, and in a seven year olds mind, $50 is a lot of money! The children had a wonderful time bowling, and as I sat there watching these children and mommies, I saw card after card going into the donation box. My heart was overwhelmed with joy to see such kindness from so many families that had no idea who Gage was, only that Caden wanted to help him. When they arrived home and counted the money in the box, there was over $600. When Mommy emptied his backpack from school, she found more cards and money. Caden had collected close to $800 for Gage. My heart was so overwhelmed for such a young child to care that much about a little boy he has never met and that he would forfeit his birthday presents for donations.    

For those of you that don't know, Gage is doing much better. He is home now, walking, eating and is able to play with his twin brother Gavin and sister Saige. He is talking, but his little voice is still very raspy and low from all the treatments, being on the ventilator while in a coma, and a feeding tube that he will have indefinitely. We do not know if Gage's cancer was killed by the proton and chemotherapy treatments, but we do know that God is in control. Gage spent 48 days in the hospital with no food or water by mouth and had numerous infections that took a major toll on his little body. He has to have steroids that help control the degree of swelling from the proton treatments, and he coded six times in three days, but I am thrilled to say this little guy is doing well.

Thank you everyone for the donations, cards, letters, phone calls, thoughts and prayers during this horrific time in Gage's life. Please keep praying that he will continue to improve daily, and that he will be able to lead a somewhat normal childhood.

A very special thank you to Caden Corby for all the money you collected for Gage! You will be meeting Gage soon!

Multiple fundraisers have been held in Pearson, Georgia where the Tanner family currently live. Local churches from miles around have made numerous donations to the Gage Tanner Medical Fund, and for this we are very grateful. The outpouring of donations, cards, letter, gifts and phone calls have been overwhelming. There are not enough words to express how much our entire family appreciates the outpouring of love and prayers. Gage is certainly our little miracle child. He has touched many lives, more than can possibly be mentioned. I believe God has a plan for this special little boy and someday he will have a testimony to tell.