Late Sunday, Daniel Giffin – 17-year-old son of Torie Jennings Giffin – died. It might seem customary to write something like “Daniel lost his 6.5 year battle with an aggressive brain cancer,” but writing that Daniel lost anything in his unwavering quest for heaven would be untrue. The loved ones left behind have lost a bright beacon, but Daniel did not lose. During his short time on earth, Daniel gained. While battling cancer he gained courage, humor, purpose, supporters, peace and abundant faith. A statement on mom Torie’s Facebook page early Monday morning read, “He (Daniel) believed God made him for a great purpose and it was to inspire others to share the same peace.”
In many ways, Daniel Giffin was the son of every mother who has nursed a child. Caitlin Schrader, a family friend who helped outfit Daniel with his first e-bike following his cancer diagnosis, told the Bulletin that Daniel, even as a child, was a remarkable friend. In life, as in death, Daniel Giffin had a gift for bringing people together. His first notable achievement to garner public attention was a solo unicycle ride to the 14,115-foot summit of Pikes Peak at age 11. Years later, just days after finishing his first radiation treatments, Daniel competed in Iowa’s non-competitive bicycle race: RAGBRAI. The race took Daniel from the western to the eastern border of Iowa.
“Even on an e-bike, that race was no joke,” Shrader remembered. “And Daniel biked 90 miles in one day. I could not believe it!” Though Daniel was briefly criticized for utilizing an e-bike, supporters, learning of his cancer diagnosis and determination, came out in large numbers to cheer Daniel along the course. Shrader believes Daniel’s use of an e-bike helped to bridge a gap, enabling people who had been avid bike riders to continue riding through a life-changing diagnosis. “These athletes are not cheating,” Shrader said. “Daniel still did something amazing, and I was honored to have been there at the right time in his life to fit him with a fat-tire e-bike.”
In the weeks leading up to Daniel’s passing, I became deeply invested in Torie’s Facebook updates – and although I hadn’t met Daniel, I felt I knew him. Simply reading that Daniel was comfortably swimming, resting and smiling with loved-ones in the familiar backyard of Buffalo Lodge Bicycle Resort provided the hearts of our community with a sense of peace. How brave, I think, Torie was to go on celebrating Daniel in her words and pictures – in the list she shared of Daniel’s favorite praise songs, including Bethel Music’s “We the Kingdom.” Even when the story of Daniel’s life contained hardship, Torie shared. And Daniel shared. And in their authentic faith was a beautiful lightness.
May 3, 2025 marked the 7th annual Walk Run Roll for Daniel, a 5K run/walk or 15-mile bike ride to benefit the Brave Daniel Irrevocable Trust and Children’s Hospital. Even as Daniel faced growing brain tumors, with cancer spreading throughout his body, he showed up at the event with a characteristic grin. His smile had a depth and purpose that others only convey through their eyes – Daniel had wisdom in his grin. In every picture and post, the right corner of Daniel’s mouth curls slightly higher than his left, and the encompassing warm smile feels like a hug.
According to multiple reports at the time, on May 3, Daniel’s brother-in-law pushed him and his wheelchair across the finish line. More than 200 runners, walkers and riders participated in the event.
A Celebration of Life is planned for Daniel Giffin at Switchbacks FC stadium Weidner Field, Monday, June 30, 2025, at 10 a.m. Please direct gifts, on behalf of Daniel Giffin, to SupportChildrensColorado.org.
