INDY: Our Story & Inspiration - As told by our Founder, Kayla
INDY Foundation was founded in honor of my late husband Kyle, who lost his courageous battle with cancer in July 2017. His four-year battle with colon cancer was extremely challenging and beautiful at the same time. For some cancer can be a real strain on a relationship, but for us, it taught us to love a little more and have faith in the Lord.
INDY: A Brief History
On a cold January day in 2013, after another colon surgery, we were visiting with our Pastor about the life battles we were facing. What felt like a mountain to me seemed to be just a speed bump to Kyle. In our conversations with Pastor Brian, Kyle had turned to him and said, “I’m Not Done Yet. God doesn’t want me yet.” At the time my face probably said it all, I was shocked and amazed all in one. You see, Kyle was determined to beat the nasty disease he was facing and he did for a couple of years. If you could ask him today how he did it, he would tell you, “Have faith in the Lord and love your family because if you don’t have either of those things, your life will be really dark and lonely. Trust me.” What started as a bold statement, “I’m Not Done Yet” became a staple in our household and life. Little did I know it would become something so much more.
Before Kyle’s passing, I had told him about my dreams and passions of starting a non-profit that could help people who were battling cancer. I was so excited and remember asking him if he thought I was crazy for thinking I could do this. He said, “No. I know you are determined and will do great things with it.” Before his passing, I made a promise that I would let his legacy live on through INDY. What started as a dream has now become my purpose and passion. The INDY Tribe’s purpose is to provide love, faith, and financial support by directly supporting the cancer warrior and their family versus the battle at hand. Together we can make a difference and spread the message of INDY across the world by encouraging and inspiring others.
Meet Kyle, the Legacy & Inspiration behind INDY
For those of you who didn’t know Kyle or have never met him, he was one of a kind. Someone who left a lasting impression on everyone he met. A husband, friend, brother, son, son-in-law, outdoorsman, Dad to Maxx (his yellow lab), comedian, and want-to-be singer.
Kyle worked in construction most of his life. He was a true craftsman. He built houses from scratch and flipped the dirtiest of dirty houses. He loved to do finish work – trimming, building cabinets, etc. And I am pretty sure he owned every DeWalt tool known to man. I often found myself asking him if he really needed another drill and he would convince me every time … he was quite the salesman too! In the winter, he spent countless hours managing and plowing snow for various accounts across the twin cities. Living out of a truck for 2+ days sounds less than desirable to most of us, but he loved it. No matter what was thrown Kyle’s way he was committed to giving it his all.
Kyle was also passionate about hunting and fishing. He would always tell me how he wished he had more time to do it. When I first met him, he spent his winters laid off and would coyote hunt every day. I soon learned this ‘hunting’ was more like driving around in a truck, talking smart on CB radios, and eating a whole bag of starbursts. He shot several deer, bears, coon, and coyotes - he was a modern-day Daniel Boone.
He loved his family and friends. Spending time with them was important to him. His nephews meant the world to him – he loved watching them grow and teaching them things … probably things he shouldn’t at times! He would have been the best Dad. It brings tears to my eyes to think that he never got that opportunity, but then I reflect and think that his purpose was so much bigger. He touched so many people’s lives – I still hear stories of memories or something Kyle said or did for others.
Kyle's Colon Cancer battle was long and courageous – he endured (3) colon resections, over 20 hospital stays, endless IV pokes, dialysis, stint exchange, and even a trip to Mexico for homeopathic treatments. Despite it all, at the end of each day, he had a smile and was grateful even when he was in complete pain. As Kyle’s cancer journey started to take a turn for the worse, as husband and wife we found ourselves having many tough conversations. Planning for the future didn’t seem right, or real. It seemed completely inappropriate to talk about, but I’m glad we did. Kyle was a dreamer – in fact, at times I would laugh because his dreams were the champagne-on-a-beer-budget type. But it was our dream to someday give back what was given to us. We had so many neighbors, friends, and family members help us along the way. We didn’t know exactly how or what it looked like - just that we were called to make it happen.
Kyle had mentioned that there needed to be an outlet or organization that gives back to cancer patients. We always felt so fortunate that we were able to keep our jobs, house, and marriage intact during his battle; we knew some people lose all of that while fighting for their lives. After spending time at CentraCare and the Mayo you quickly realize that cancer affects all races, sex, and ages. It seems so unfair but unfortunately, it's reality. Stats say that 1 in 2 people will develop cancer in their lifetime.
As Kyle’s cancer spread we knew the ending we were all hoping for wasn’t realistic. While lying in the hospital we had to make some tough decisions as a young couple but Kyle’s humor never seemed to leave him. He told me two things that he was serious about: 1. Don’t you dare pawn your rings because that’s my boat on your finger and 2. You better get working on INDY every day or I will haunt you. I’m not sure if that was him being a jokester or the drugs – maybe a little of both, but he was completely serious.
While he was at Quiet Oaks Hospice House, I remember showing him that everyone on Facebook was changing their profile picture to the INDY logo we had developed. He got his classic shit-eating grin on his face – something that is forever ingrained in my head. Somehow I feel that Kyle knew part of the plan. His fear wasn’t dying. His fear was that he would be forgotten, which is something I promised to never let happen. Little did I know the legacy that he was leaving behind through four simple words – I’m Not Done Yet. If I look back at the last 5 years when this cancer journey began it sometimes still feels like a dream. A dream that is being written for something much bigger than I will understand.
In August of 2017, we filed and formulated as a non-profit. For the next four months, we worked to put together an amazing website, formed a board of directors, designed apparel, and created our mission statement. By December 2017, the website was live and our mission of giving back to those in the midst of their cancer battle by providing love, faith, and financial support was out there for the world to see.
In January 2018, our first warriors were selected. We highlighted and videotaped their story on our website and social media pages. Merchandise flew off the shelves in support of our mission and the warriors. To date, we have helped 11 warriors and their families – donating more than $15,000.00 to use as they wish. We have processed more than 550 orders going to 20 different states around the United States. I say we, because don’t think that this is all done by me. Our board puts in huge amounts of time along with several volunteers who help monthly. And I can’t help but think that someone upstairs has had a hand in it.
Thank you all for your continued love and support!
XOXO ~ Kayla Strand, Founder of INDY Foundation