Team Tyler

Tyler Rodden was the kind of person who made the world brighter simply by being in it. Gentle, humble, and deeply caring, Tyler had a quiet strength that lifted those around him. His kindness wasn’t performative—it was who he was at his core. 

Your support fuels the work of the Tough Together Foundation. Every donation made in Tyler’s honor helps advance research, expand access to treatment, and bring new hope to families across the country, while offering them the support they need to weather their storm.

Tyler wanted us to raise funds specifically to find a cure for DMG. He had said "I do not want other kids to have to go through this" when he woke up from his brain biopsy, he was only worried that there was enough tissue for science. Science truly was his higher power and always his guiding light.

Tyler loved carbohydrates, he used to say "I am a Carb-a-Tarian". He and I baked for his teachers, neighbors, fundraisers that he did to help save medical dogs, and of course his own consumption. He you used to say "Kitty LOVE is our special ingredient". So when I bake I always remind myself to add LOVE into the mix.

We are learning to live without Tyler, personally I missed the traditions we had together. Tyler's sister Olivia gave me a sourdough starter, "Doughie Parton", in December (2025). I started to learn to bake sourdough bread, which was a feat for me. I made two good loaves then five major flops. So I dialed it in and started producing quality loaves. Now I have made it so I can make enough bread twice a week to fulfill orders. I never intend to sell Doughie for a profit, but for what Tyler would want me to do. Spread kindness, fill it with LOVE, and help find a CURE. So every loaf of bread sold with help with all of things.

I am a firm believer that if we all do what we can, we can make a difference. I hope to raise $1,000,013 in honor of his hope to find a cure. I add a 13 into all things tied to Tyler as he was diagnosed at 13, fought for 13 months and left on the 13th. There is HOPE, and with funding that HOPE for a cure can become a reality. When Tyler was int he depths of his treatment I had to do something very challenging and not fun for a work situation, he was walking out the door for an infusion and I was starting to cry, because he wanted me there, but due to this situation I could not go with him. I felt shattered, he hugged me and said "if anyone can do this Kitty, it's you". I hear him say that when I do not want to get out of bed, or try to do life today without him.

So with your help, some flour, water, salt and LOVE we can make a difference in others lives we may never know, so that they have a different outcome from what our family experienced.

To receive a loaf of bread you will make a donation of minimum $25 and I will bake once to twice a week (it takes 3 days to create a loaf) and then mail it to you. Please be patient as, I am the only person making he bread. Currently my husband and I will cover all costs tied to baking Doughie, all donations will go to Tough2gether Foundation. There will be Bay Area pick up locations and for certain locations I can make a delivery personally.

The menu will change, and you will need to look for "specialty" loaf weeks, such a croissant loaf, cinnamon swirl croissant loaf, jalapeno cheddar loaf, bagels (6), and the espresso dark chocolate loaf. You can follow the process on @doughie_parton on instargram and facebook as well.

Donations made to Tough2gether Foundation are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. While funds raised in connection with this family will directly support them, all donations are made to Tough2gether Foundation and may also be used to support other families facing pediatric cancer, related programs, and charitable initiatives at the Foundation’s discretion.