Cart 0
Cart 0
Light when skies are gray

About Rays for Rare

Rays for Rare formerly Corwyn’s Cause began in 2017 after the Schomers experienced the loss of their son Corwyn.

Corwyn was born with a rare brain malformation, he was medically fragile with many health issues. While in the hospital his family found that charities visit, support, bring special visitors and comfort items. When they moved to care at home they found they were alone, no charities service families in their home. After Corwyn soon passed away at home in November 2016 they decided this is a cause they would like to bring light to and Corwyn’s Cause was formed.

We support medically fragile children and their families. We also offer advocacy, support, education and services throughout their difficult time.

sunflowers.jpg
 

Our Team

 
Megan Schomer CEOMegan was given the vision for Rays for Rare (formerly Corwyn’s Cause) in 2016 after experiencing the loss of her medically fragile son Corwyn. Her son Corwyn was born with a rare brain malformation, which had a catastrophic effect …

Megan Schomer
Rays for Rare

CEO-President

Megan was given the vision for Rays for Rare (formerly Corwyn’s Cause) in 2016 after experiencing the loss of her medically fragile son Corwyn. Her son Corwyn was born with a rare brain malformation, which had a catastrophic effect on his health. He had many complications from epilepsy to regular occurrences of pneumonia and was unable to walk, talk or eat, essentially there was a pediatric intensive care unit in her home. Megan realized during her years of caring for Corwyn how isolating the experience was, while many charitable organizations bring support to the hospital, the families with complex children do most of the cares at home. After Corwyn passed away at home, Megan decided to bring uplifting support to medically fragile children and their families. Her vision included being a non diagnosis specific organization, showing up with practical support at the families home in the form of services and building community through events. Megan additionally advocates for rare diseases, in which there are more than 7,000. She feels it doesn't matter what the diagnosis is, the journey is similar. She has found this population to be the most underserved in our curative culture and has brought together a unified voice to advocate for pediatric palliative care, hospice and better policies. She currently serves on the Children’s Palliative Advisory Council at St. Luke’s Children's Hospital as well as shares her message at speaking engagements to further awareness. In 2019 she ended her 15 year career as a top producer in the real estate industry to become the President and CEO of Rays for Rare. Her career in real estate and previous experience in corporate management give her a dynamic skill set to further and grow this multifaceted organization.

Megan lives in Eagle Idaho with her son, she enjoys anything adventurous from travel, dining and experiences to exploring our beautiful State.

Kendra Tietz SecretaryKendra Tietz is a registered nurse manager who works with St. Luke’s Hospice to provide leadership and advocacy to hospice team members.Kendra believes that caring for people at end of life is a calling and a passion rather tha…

Kendra Tietz
Hospice Liaison

Secretary

Kendra Tietz is a registered nurse manager who works with St. Luke’s Hospice to provide leadership and advocacy to hospice team members.

Kendra believes that caring for people at end of life is a calling and a passion rather than a job. This type of work is very sacred, and it is an honor to serve people during this time in their lives. Walking along side adults and pediatrics at end of life is a journey that hospice RN’s perform with utmost pride.

Kendra has supported and worked with the most experienced and inspiring RNs who serve the largest cancer population.

Kendra has 15 years of nursing experience in end of life care and is an active member of the American Nurse’s Association.

Kendra holds a master’s degree in nursing leadership and management from Western Governors University.

Jon Hastings Jon Hastings is the owner of Tresidio Homes based in Meridian, Idaho. Before moving to Boise, Jon grew up in Houston, Texas, then earned a Bachelor's Degree in Construction Management with a Minor in Business Management from Brigham You…

Jon Hastings
Tresidio Homes

Treasurer


Jon Hastings is the owner of Tresidio Homes based in Meridian, Idaho. Before moving to Boise, Jon grew up in Houston, Texas, then earned a Bachelor's Degree in Construction Management with a Minor in Business Management from Brigham Young University. Tresidio Homes was founded in 2009 as a natural outgrowth of Jon’s passion for personalized home design. Today Tresidio builds over 100 homes per year with a focus on design flexibility and home buyer experience. The growth of Tresidio has also facilitated its philanthropic mission of bringing support to medically fragile children and their families in the Treasure Valley. Jon enjoys spending time with his wife and three kids, fly fishing, and golfing.

Cara Gallegos
PhD, RN, EBP-C

Associate Professor and Nursing Faculty Research Director
School of Nursing Boise State University

Sean MarshBorn the 2nd of 6 children, Sean jumped at the chance to help families of medically fragile children. His sister Kelly succumbed to Campomelic Dysplasia a few months after she was born, while Sean was in high school. Seangraduated with a B…

Sean Marsh
Attorney

Born the 2nd of 6 children, Sean jumped at the chance to help families of medically fragile children. His sister Kelly succumbed to Campomelic Dysplasia a few months after she was born, while Sean was in high school. Seangraduated with a Bachelors in Political Science with an emphasis in Economics at Montana State University. He then served 2 tours in the US Army as a Ranger qualified Infantry leader. Immediately upon Honorable Discharge, Sean integrated back into society at the University of Denver Sturm College of law. He works as an attorney for a civil highway construction company. Sean and his beautiful bride live in Boise and can be found tubing down the river in the summer and skiing Bogus Basin in the winter.

Brianna Wardle
Black Pine Property Management and Real Estate

Brianna grew up in Idaho since she was three years old. She graduated from Boise State University in 2015 with a Bachelor of Business Administration (Marketing) degree. Brianna is a real estate agent and property manager. When she's not working, you will most likely find her outdoors (hiking, snowboarding, snowmobiling, camping or pretty much anything active that gets her outside). She also loves to travel overseas and explore many different areas of the world.

Since Brianna Wardle was a young girl, she has enjoyed giving back; whether it was using her Christmas money to buy toys for other kids; bake sales for the local animal shelter; or putting together a car wash to raise money for the American Red Cross after Hurricane Katrina. She's excited to bring years of customer service, graphic design, social media, marketing and advertising experience to help with the growth of Rays for Rare.

Whitney Price, LCSW, CGCS
Children’s Palliative & Supportive Care Supervisor

Whitney Price, LCSW is a licensed clinical social worker and supervisor of St. Luke’s Children’s Palliative and Supportive Care program.  Whitney started this program in 2019 which is the first pediatric specific palliative care program in Idaho.  She received the Emerging Leader Award from Social Work in Hospice and Palliative Care Network (SWHPN) in 2022.  She chose pediatric palliative care for its holistic team approach which values child and family-centered care. She works to help children with serious, chronic or limiting-illness and their families navigate through their medical journey.  Whitney works with medically complex children and families to explore their goals of care, values, enrich communication and coordination, and provide mental health support. 

Sean Timpane MD
Palliative Care Physician

Sean Timpane, MD specializes in palliative medicine and works as a pediatric palliative care physician for St. Luke’s Children’s. He is passionate about providing family-centered care including parents and siblings of children with serious illness and complex conditions.  He works with his team to improve communication and collaboration among patients, families and providers in an increasingly complex healthcare system.  They seek to prioritize a holistic view of patients as individuals with a focus on meaningful experiences, overall quality of life and how parents can navigate ever uncertain medical futures while supporting all the members of a family.

Ty Travis

Ty Travis
Post Insurance