Brianna Carney was only 23 when she passed on December 26, 2022. She was full of life and lived it to the fullest. She was passionate about those she loved, her dogs, rescuing other dogs, helping people, and being the best version of herself through hard work.
She was a first-generation graduate of Nova Southeastern University, making her parents, Janice and Dave, so proud. Brianna co-owned DDM mobile services alongside her fiancé Dakota Martin, and was dedicated to making the business a success. Brianna loved dogs and was the fur mom to Harley, Munchkin, Nala, and Brutus. She aspired to buy a large piece of property to house as many dogs as she could. Brianna also loved cooking, working on cars with her dad, and riding motorcycles. Some of her favorite things were pineapples, sunflowers, butterflies, and The Grinch. Christmas was her favorite time of the year. Brianna was strong-willed and had an internal drive to accomplish whatever she set her mind to. She was a passionate mental health advocate and helped others because of her own struggles.
Brianna wanted her tissue to be studied after she passed to help further the understanding of EHE and to develop a standard of care for others with this rare cancer. She said, “Even if it only helps one person, it will be worth it.” Brianna’s family donated her tissue to The EHE Foundation’s Biobank to have a direct impact on EHE research.
Brianna’s family worked tirelessly to create awareness of EHE in her memory. Brianna’s family celebrated her life by spreading her ashes in a special way while wearing the 2023 EHE Fun Run and Walk “Shine a Light on Rare Cancer” shirts. Then, on July 27, 2023, the Honorable Jamie Raskin of Maryland spoke to the House of Representatives about EHE and Brianna, “I rise today to recognize the urgent need for research funding for epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (EHE). EHE is a rare and devastating cancer that can affect anyone of any age… I encourage my colleagues to join me in supporting increased federal support for finding more effective treatments and, ultimately, a cure for this terrible disease.” You can read his full statement here.
Her family hopes to continue Brianna’s legacy by helping to raise awareness of EHE. The EHE Foundation is grateful to Brianna and her entire family for making a difference to help move EHE research forward and for spreading awareness in such sincere ways.
