I lost a friend today…

He passed last night—his wife posted on his Facebook page to notify the many people who kept up with him and cheered his efforts. He was someone loved by many, inspired by many and he touched so many lives.

Aaron became a friend long after we worked together and our cancer is what brought us together again. His was a true battle—so much testing, experimenting and giving of himself in the name of science and to buy extra time. It made a difference for those with his unique cancer and thankfully brought him more years than was expected.

As I think about the years I worked for him and with him, he was so impactful in his work and had the greatest amount of influence on my career through the lessons he shared and the opportunities he gave us. I can honestly say that the best of my marketing skills came from the work we did in his team than at any other point in my career.

His was a life filled with the love of family, love of friends, intense bicyclist and savvy (nee brilliant) marketing. His passionate and steadfast support was felt by everyone. And he taught us much along the way, not just in learning how to be better at our work, but how to be better people and to give and reach everyone you can.

I remember when he found out about my cancer and called me out of the blue one day. I was so surprised and moved that he could find the time to give me encouragement and support during his consuming days. Over the past year and half we kept in touch sporadically to share encouragement for our separate efforts and complain mutually about the things we thought were so disgusting about this illness and the process.

Everyone followed his posts online as he chronicled his life and memories on Facebook. A life that was so very full. There are people across the globe who will mourn his passing today. I’m imagining the light of our love and admiration for him as reaching his soul somewhere. I’d like to think he knows how much we all cared for him. He was deeply admired for who he was and how he lived.

Aaron’s life was a shining example of how we should spend our time and mark our days in service and support of others. His departure shakes us to the core and leaves us speechless and empty.

I’m reminded once again of the gift we get with life and how its worth every fight and struggle to the the best person we can be and to enjoy each day as it comes.

It was a pleasure and joy to have known him and have the opportunity to re-connect with him in these last years.

Aaron Davis — April 14, 2022

Ocular melanoma