CALLUM'S LIFE AND LEGACY
Callum's Story
The Callum Cares Foundation was founded in honor of Callum Murphy, a little guy who made a big impact in his four short years with us.
Callum Trevor Murphy · February 9, 2021 – December 24, 2025
Callum's health journey
Callum was born on February 9, 2021, after a full-term pregnancy with no anticipated complications. He arrived with low muscle tone and soon needed NICU care. His first seven weeks brought unanswered questions, a feeding tube, a life-threatening infection, multiple blood transfusions, and seizures before he finally came home.
Genetic testing revealed a rare CACNA1C mutation, giving us an answer but no clear path forward. We were told, “take him home and love him.”
And we did. We filled his days with snuggles and the things he enjoyed, while fighting for the equipment, resources, and care he needed to live as fully and comfortably as possible.
A life full of love, a lasting impact
We learned to navigate appointments, therapies, hospital stays, and insurance appeals while advocating for needs that rarely fit an existing system. Through it all, Callum made friends, went to school, became a big brother, and enjoyed his dogs, the outdoors, and the people who loved him.
Callum’s unique genetics connected us with researchers, contributing to published research and efforts to explore potential treatments. He even helped light the KCTV5 tower in recognition of his diagnosis.
During his life, Callum underwent six surgeries, including major brain surgery, often amazing his medical teams with his recovery. He was so strong, and he deserved every bit of care, comfort, inclusion, and joy we could help make possible.
Bringing him home
As Callum approached his fifth birthday, we could see that his body was growing tired. Each illness took more from him, recovery became harder, and his quality of life began to change.
In the hardest decision of our lives, we chose to let his comfort guide us. We wanted him to be at home, held by the people he loved, instead of beneath the harsh lights of an emergency room where we had nearly lost him so many times before.
With the support of Kansas City Hospice, we transitioned Callum to end-of-life care. On December 24, 2025, he passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by our love.
Our faith gives us hope that, after walking such a difficult path, Callum was welcomed into the arms of Jesus in time for Christmas.
Our why
"After losing Callum, we thought we might need to step away from the world we had spent nearly five years navigating. But our friends were still there—in the hospital rooms, waiting on insurance approvals, and fighting for the care and support their children needed. The children we loved were still growing, and the families we loved were still carrying so much. We knew what it meant to need someone in our corner, and we couldn’t walk away. Callum Cares grew from that love, carrying his legacy forward by showing up for the children and families still living this life."
Mary Murphy
Callum's Mom, Founder & President of Callum Cares
Research and recognition