Southern Maryland Mom Turns Son’s Last Wish Into A Fight Against Childhood Cancer

COBB ISLAND, Md. — More than 100 people gathered on Cobb Island this year to fish, compete, bid on donated items and raise money for children battling cancer.

Casting for a Cure is more than an annual fishing tournament for Suzanne Dudley. It is a way to honor her son, Peyton Greer, and carry out the final wish he made before his death from childhood cancer. This year’s fundraiser raised $7,012. The event supports childhood cancer research at Children’s National Hospital and local families affected by the disease through the Clement’s Cuties Foundation.

For Dudley, every dollar raised is part of a promise she made to Peyton.

A Fundraiser With A Purpose

Casting for a Cure began after Peyton’s death and has grown each year. The first event was held at Old Town Pub in Leonardtown and featured a gathering, silent auctions and community support. It eventually grew into a fishing tournament on Cobb Island, complete with fishing, prizes, live and silent auctions and donated equipment for children.

Sponsors have donated fishing rods, tackle and other equipment so every child participating in the tournament can have something of their own to take home. Last year, about 90 people attended. This year, that number grew to approximately 108.

But the goal has remained the same: raise money for children with cancer while introducing young people to the sport Peyton loved.

Peyton’s Story

Peyton was 13 when his cancer journey began in 2018. It started with a bump on his forearm. He noticed it at school after recess and showed his mother when he got home. It did not hurt, and there was no redness or obvious sign that something serious was wrong.

Dudley initially thought it could be a cyst or an injury. Still, the family decided to have it checked. An ultrasound quickly changed everything. The family was sent to Children’s Hospital, where doctors conducted additional tests, including an MRI and biopsy. Peyton was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare childhood cancer affecting soft tissue.

At the time of his first diagnosis, his family was told his chance of survival was around 70%. Treatment began with chemotherapy in January. By September, Peyton was in remission. Two months later, the cancer returned and had spread to his lung. His estimated chance of survival dropped to around 30%.

Peyton underwent another biopsy and began additional chemotherapy and radiation. The second round of treatment took an even greater toll on his body. He spent extended periods in the hospital, sometimes for weeks at a time. He battled severe infections, including MRSA, and lost a significant amount of weight.

Dudley said despite it all, her son remained positive. Then came another remission. Seven months passed.

“He was doing wonderful,” Dudley told The BayNet.

But after Peyton contracted COVID, scans revealed the cancer had returned and spread throughout his body. Doctors told the family there was no longer a standard treatment that could cure him. Peyton was given the opportunity to participate in clinical trials. Peyton understood that the treatment could potentially give him more time. If it failed, however, he knew doctors could learn from it and potentially help another child in the future.

“Mom, if it wins, I stay alive,” Dudley recalls Peyton telling her. “But if it doesn’t work, they know for next time that they can’t use that on a little kid.”

The trial treatment initially appeared to be working. His tumors began shrinking. Eventually, though, his kidneys began shutting down, and continuing chemotherapy was no longer safe.

In August 2021, shortly after his 16th birthday, Peyton learned that doctors had no more treatment options. Dudley remembers him crying, but she also remembers his acceptance.

“If this is God’s choice, let it be his will,” he told her.

He did not want to know how much time he had left. But he did have one request for his mother.

“Mom, please just don’t ever stop,” he told her.

A Boy Who Loved The Water

Cancer was only one part of Peyton’s story. He loved being on the water with his uncle, fishing, catching crabs and spending time outdoors. Dudley said he also loved the people around him, including the medical staff who cared for him throughout his treatment.

“He was extraordinary,” she said. “Passionate, loving, goofy, but the most positive and strong person I’ve ever met in my entire life.”

His sense of humor followed him into the hospital. Dudley recalled how one of his favorite nurses, Ms. Kirby, had a boyfriend. Peyton had developed a playful crush on her and decided to make a video for the boyfriend.

His message was simple.

“Hey, bro. Just remember, I’ll always be her number one.”

For Dudley, memories like that are what she wants people to remember about her son. Not the cancer. But the boy on the water.

His Last Wish

Near the end of his life, Peyton began thinking about what would happen after he was gone. Dudley asked him what he wanted her to do with the money left in his accounts. His answer was clear.

He wanted part of the money donated to Children’s National Hospital to support research into rhabdomyosarcoma. He wanted the other portion to help local children and families through the Clement’s Cuties Foundation. He also wanted his family to keep fighting.

“He wanted me to do this so another kid wouldn’t have to battle this,” Dudley said.

That wish became the foundation for Casting for a Cure, and all proceeds go to Children’s National Hospital and Clement’s Cuties Foundation.

“I promised him, and I’m not going to give up for him,” Dudley said. “Hopefully one day before I’m dead, we’ll have a cure.”

Raising Awareness

Dudley hopes the fundraiser does more than raise money. She also wants parents to understand that childhood cancers can sometimes begin with symptoms that appear insignificant. For Peyton, it was a painless bump on his arm. His family initially had no reason to believe it was cancer.

That experience has made Dudley passionate about encouraging parents to have unexplained symptoms checked rather than dismissing them. She wants more families to ask questions and more resources to go toward research for childhood cancers such as rhabdomyosarcoma.

Keeping Peyton’s Memory Alive

Casting for a Cure continues to grow, but for Dudley, the event is not about numbers alone. It is about keeping her son’s final request alive. Each year, families gather on the water. Children learn to fish. Donations are collected. Money goes toward research and families who need help.

And Peyton’s memory remains at the center of it all. He was the fisherman. The jokester. The son who loved the water and the people around him.

Now, his family is using that love to help others. Every year, they cast their lines again, not only for Peyton but for the children who are still fighting. And for the hope that someday, another family will not have to hear the words his family heard.

Until then, they will keep casting for a cure.

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