Hunter Cole Berns was born on September 18, 1995 in Virginia Beach, and he spent his 21 years building a community that changed his family forever. Hunter was diagnosed with brain cancer at 3 years old, and had numerous complications that he faced with bravery and a smile. While he lost his ability to walk or talk, he was an inspiration to many, and lived a full life. He loved going to school, played challenger baseball, liked spicy food and even tried surfing a few times.
On July 24, 2017, Hunter died at home, surrounded by his family. They wanted to do something to keep his legacy alive. In the days after his passing, they set up a funding site so that friends and family could donate to a scholarship for the following school year. The amazing community that had grown up around Hunter during his life came together, and the scholarship was quickly funded ten times over. In the next year, the first scholarship was planned, but his family knew they had the opportunity to do more, and the Hunter Berns Foundation was born.
Our Vision
We will celebrate Hunter’s life by giving back to the many organizations that supported Hunter and his family throughout his battle with brain cancer and its aftermath. The Hunter Berns Foundation strives to raise both awareness and money for these organizations, and to continue to make our community a welcoming place for children with special needs. The Foundation will also seek to benefit individuals and their families as they face life struggles similar to those that Hunter and his family faced.