De'Jon L. Lee November 6, 2000 ~ June 18, 2023

De'Jon had been struggling with mental health issues that progressively worsened until June 18, 2023, five months from his 23rd birthday, when he took his life. He was my son.

As a mother, there is no other grief that consumes you as that of the death of your child.

De'Jon was a very kind, soft-spoken, extremely intelligent, and generous human being. His smile would light up the room. He was an artist; loved drawing Manga art and anime and would hop on his longboard and skate for hours.

His wishes to be a donor were fulfilled, and it fills my heart to know that as a full donor, his legacy lives on in those who otherwise would not be here today if it were not for his precious gifts. His generosity abounded until the very end.

In my many days and nights of crying, I promised him that I would do whatever I could, somehow, to advocate for him and so many other young adults that are struggling with depression, anxiety, and the myriad of other mental illnesses that come with trying to become a productive adult in this crazy world we live in. Mental healthcare is NOT as readily available as it should be, and the statistics for our young adults between the ages of 16 and 25 that are suffering are astronomical.

And for me doing whatever I can... this is where it begins. The Bumblebee Memorial Scholarship Fund. We all need to be "Bumblebees" and spread the pollen of compassion and humanity while helping students who dream of one day helping others by studying and graduating in the field of mental health. To allow them the opportunity to BE that bumblebee, and 

spread the pollen of new knowledge 

 so that together, we CAN make a change.