Brothers fundraise in their father's memory

“Hospice” is a heavy word. It can take a toll on the relatives of affected individuals.

For those terminally ill patients, it’s an alternative to the pains of curative treatment. They can maximize their quality of life for however many days they have left.

Scott Smith’s esophageal cancer spread to his heart by August of 2023. Two of his sons, Chase and Drew Smith, were beginning 10th and eighth grade, respectively, at the time.

When their father was put on hospice care, they were old enough to understand the time remaining with him was finite.

“It could be we have a few weeks with him. It could be months until the illness takes over,” said Chase Smith. “But all the hospice meant is we knew what the end would be.”

So they savored every moment they shared with Scott Smith before his death Oct. 14, 2023, at 55 years old. It wasn’t his first battle with the disease — his esophageal cancer was caused by radiation treatment he underwent for Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in 2012.

Less than a year later, Chase and Drew Smith sought to make a real-world difference in his memory. And they haven’t wavered from their mission.

Now a senior and sophomore at The Out-of-Door Academy, the two Sarasota residents held their third annual fundraiser April 1 at the Thunder Classic track and field meet, benefiting pediatric cancer research through The V Foundation.

They’ve raised over $30,000 across the last two years, and as of April 7, have raised $7,705 in 2026. They hope to collect $15,000 in donations this year when all is said and done.

“That sounds so crazy, just saying it,” said Chase Smith. “But this community has already proved to us twice that if we shoot for the stars, they’ll help us out.”

Photo by Jack Nelson

At the meet, the brothers set up a tent next to the track where people could make in-person donations. The concession stand was stocked with Chick-fil-A chicken sandwiches — courtesy of the chain’s UTC location — for which all proceeds were donated.

They’ve partnered with The V Foundation since year one, feeling like the foundation best embodies their mission. Scott Smith, after all, was a close friend of Terri Vitale, who’s the eldest daughter of Dick Vitale.

Vitale, a four-time cancer survivor himself, has raised $105.4 million for pediatric cancer research since his inaugural gala in 2005. His name — legendary in the basketball world as an ESPN broadcaster — adorns the student center at ODA.

Much like Vitale with his passion project, Chase and Drew Smith have found pediatric cancer research is a cause people are eager to get behind.

“Even my friends who aren’t really filled in on the topic, necessarily, everyone seems to want to support,” said Drew Smith. “Especially being my friends, but also for just how big of a cause it is.”

They knew it was the right initiative. And they knew their school was the right place. 

So the next step was finding an event that resonated with what they wanted to achieve.

A home track and field meet piqued their interest. At ODA, those are free for the public to attend. Since spectators are accustomed to paying for high school sporting events, the brothers trusted those people would have dollars to give.

Their choice was also inspired by their father, who had a lifetime love for the outdoors. Chase Smith still hasn’t forgotten his childhood memories of riding their bikes, playing baseball or football together in their backyard.

The family moved to Florida from New York when he was 6 years old because Scott Smith wanted his kids to grow up in a place where they could enjoy the outdoors year-round.

“Although there are other events that happen on campus where there will be lots of people, not all of it’s going to be related to sports,” said Chase Smith. “It would have been something my dad would have loved to come to — just to watch my friends run.”

Photo by Jack Nelson

Chase and Drew Smith were 15 and 13 years old, respectively, when their father died. They were toddlers during his first battle with cancer, but during his second, were old enough to understand the warning hospice carried.

They know lots of families never had that luxury. Many lose their loved ones without any warning at all. 

So the brothers maintain gratitude for the time they had with their father, no matter how challenging it was to see esophageal cancer run its course.

“It’s difficult to see someone who you’ve idolized your entire life start becoming less capable and seeing them in pain,” said Chase Smith. “It’s something I wouldn’t wish on anybody.”

Chase Smith, who’s a finalist for this year’s National Merit Scholarship, won’t be around to spearhead next year’s fundraiser. He’ll be a college freshman, away on a new adventure.

This was Drew Smith’s first year being fully involved in planning and executing the fundraiser, as other school volunteers supported his older brother in years past.

Next year and beyond represent his opportunity to carry the torch.

“ODA is very helpful for students in what they’re passionate about,” said Drew Smith. “If you’re able to go at it and try to get grants or donations for something you care about, it can be really impactful for students and the organization.”

The brothers have fought for pediatric cancer research in their father’s memory. They’ve done so for three years running, with no plans to stop in 2027.

What would Scott Smith say to them now, if he himself attended their fundraiser?

“I’m sure he’d have some sort of pun or corny Midwest phrase to go with,” said Chase Smith. “But I think he’d be amazed.”