"But Tomorrow" Foundation Story

Our loving daughter and sister, Noëlle Christie Loving, passed away at the age of 37 years old of an inoperable brain tumor on September 13, 2017. She lived a year from diagnosis, half of that year being bedridden, disabled, unable to eat, drink, speak or move.

Noëlle graduated from Virginia Tech with a degree of psychology in 2002. She began a very successful career in recruiting (headhunting), helping others find employment opportunities which took her to live in Chicago and then to Washington D.C.; where she opened an office for her employer. She was an incredible salesperson who never took “no” as the final answer and would keep trying until she finally found a “yes”.

In 2010, her younger brother, Philip (Phil), was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Noëlle became committed in finding the best doctors and treatment facilities for her brother. At the same time, remaining by his side before, during and after surgery. She never stopped, not for a second, being “The Tower of Strength” to both her parents and siblings.

During this difficult time, Noëlle learned that you have to be your own health advocate. This is when she decided to become a nurse; to help people in times when they need help the most!

She was accepted in the Bon Secours Memorial College of Nursing (BSMCON) in Richmond, VA in 2013. While in nursing school, she worked as a certified Nurse Assistant in the VCU Health Palliative Care Unit and expressed to her family that, “she had found where she belonged.” She proved herself to be a dedicated, compassionate nurse and loved taking care of patients. Sadly, she wasn’t able to get her nursing degree, passing away a semester before graduation. She was awarded her degree posthumously in 2018 by BSMCON! This meant the world to our family.

From young, Noëlle never accepted the word “no,” always countering with “but tomorrow?” She always had hope in whatever she did and we want others to know to always be hopeful for a tomorrow! From Noëlle’s true love, compassion, and care for others, our family will keep her legacy alive by creating the Noëlle C. Loving “But Tomorrow” Foundation.

We would have never thought that three years later, on May 8, 2020, Philip would pass away from his brain tumor at 32 years old. We are so proud that he helped create this foundation in memory of his sister, but we will continue it in memory of them both.

Philip was diagnosed with a brain tumor in September 2010, right after he graduated from Virginia Tech summa cum laude with a dual major in international studies and French. He became fluent in French while studying abroad during school to Grenoble, France.

After his diagnosis, Phil never let his illness define him or hold him back. He lived life fully, wasn’t afraid to take a chance and encouraged others to do the same. He decided to continue his education in International Affairs and Security Policy by completing his master’s degree from George Washington University in 2013. He met his future wife, Kate, during a summer course in Tel Aviv and they eventually married and lived in Washington, D.C. Phil pursued a career with the federal government working for the Department of Defense. They had two beautiful children (their son 2 1/2 years old and daughter 3 months old when Philip passed).

During his 10 years of living with brain cancer, he had three brain surgeries, chemo and radiation, and participated in multiple clinical trials, he still continued to accomplish so much and lived life to the fullest. He kept working in a job he loved, continued traveling the world, kept his love for comedy and music, and most importantly remained a great husband and dad. He never met a stranger, was light on his feet on the dance floor and quick with a joke.

Our family was incredibly lucky to have Noëlle and Philip in our lives. We will continue to help others as they would and will always give hope to others for a better “tomorrow!”