Merry Christmas from our family to yours! Thank you all for cheering Grayson on and always having his back! pic.twitter.com/SGUa2GQYyt

— Dianne Ketchie (@cdketchie) December 25, 2023

Grayson’s ready for @PackFootball to bring this back to Raleigh! pic.twitter.com/KexNtVTGUJ

— Dianne Ketchie (@cdketchie) December 27, 2023

Lots of fun at the Pep Rally today! Grayson is ready for the @PopTartsBowl Go Pack! pic.twitter.com/jTmNTArV5C

— Dianne Ketchie (@cdketchie) December 28, 2023

Grayson will be sad when he realizes football season is over. Three months ago, our lives changed forever when @wolfpacktom and G became family. He’s been able to experience things I could have never imagined and made so many new friends. Forever thankful to WPN. pic.twitter.com/bx1bfofm3J

— Dianne Ketchie (@cdketchie) December 29, 2023

We didn’t get the win today, but Grayson had such a fun day!! pic.twitter.com/UUW7jimaoE

— Dianne Ketchie (@cdketchie) December 29, 2023

Happy New Year! As 2023 started, I was very anxious about what this year had in store. Grayson wasn't feeling well and I was worried about what that meant for him. We promised each other to live every moment to the fullest allow Grayson to experience as much of life as possible

G's had an amazing year of living. He's met so many new people, made new friends, grown his chosen family & taught us all a lot along the way. I don't know what 2024 will bring, but we will continue to say "yes" to things that bring him joy. No regrets, life is too short!

G’s had an amazing year of living. He’s met so many new people, made new friends, grown his chosen family & taught us all a lot along the way. I don’t know what 2024 will bring, but we will continue to say “yes” to things that bring him joy. No regrets, life is too short!

— Dianne Ketchie (@cdketchie) January 1, 2024

We got Grayson and @McCall_Grayson today! I can’t wait to watch this friendship grow! @McCall_Grayson thank you for taking some time away from your move to come meet Grayson! @wolfpacktom thank you for setting this up! pic.twitter.com/pHXJJJFWN3

— Dianne Ketchie (@cdketchie) January 4, 2024

What a time to be a @PackFootball fan. Had to put on a cowboy hat and buckle up for this one! Grayson and Grayson friendship started today..and you can FEEL the electricity in this place. LFG!!@SavageWolvesNIL @cdketchie pic.twitter.com/k8OKXsKJav

— tom livolsi (@wolfpacktom) January 4, 2024

Grayson was so excited to get his new shirt today to support his friend @Kcthekid2 pic.twitter.com/8LcCv6l3tn

— Dianne Ketchie (@cdketchie) January 19, 2024

Grayson was living his best life last week! Wish we could have brought back the warm weather with us! pic.twitter.com/CnThdhc4oE

— Dianne Ketchie (@cdketchie) February 11, 2024

Post game smiles with new friends! @PackSoftball Can’t wait to do it again tomorrow!! pic.twitter.com/kTRVg6ERPz

— Dianne Ketchie (@cdketchie) February 17, 2024

Grayson is pretty excited about his new wheelchair that arrived today!! pic.twitter.com/aS6JfEgW3Q

— Dianne Ketchie (@cdketchie) February 20, 2024

A beautiful morning to get some wiggles out! I hope this makes you smile as much as it did for me! A huge reminder of how far he’s come! pic.twitter.com/CKakUt4lVk

— Dianne Ketchie (@cdketchie) February 22, 2024

Thank you @OnePackNIL and @SavageWolvesNIL for sending Grayson some stickers for his new wheelchair!! pic.twitter.com/I1yV8zHX23

— Dianne Ketchie (@cdketchie) February 27, 2024

Grayson and @McCall_Grayson at Meet the Savage Wolves @SavageWolvesNIL pic.twitter.com/UJgmm2HVRk

— Dianne Ketchie (@cdketchie) March 3, 2024

Grayson was so excited to see @kcthekid2 today! @SavageWolvesNIL pic.twitter.com/EF7o07oqJ3

— Dianne Ketchie (@cdketchie) March 3, 2024

It was a beautiful Sunday to cheer on @PackSoftball pic.twitter.com/LjPFNHXvuZ

— Dianne Ketchie (@cdketchie) March 10, 2024

Happy 13th birthday, Grayson!! May you always know how loved you are by people all over the world! May you continue to bring joy wherever you go! We love you to infinity and beyond! pic.twitter.com/3EKJuSswJ1

— Dianne Ketchie (@cdketchie) March 16, 2024

Little Grayson said it best! What an amazing win by @PackMensBball on his 13th birthday! pic.twitter.com/xOodWEJaqb

— Dianne Ketchie (@cdketchie) March 17, 2024

How cool is this funko that @St8Wolf made of Grayson!! pic.twitter.com/uYiCPCAGLH

— Dianne Ketchie (@cdketchie) March 19, 2024

Happy Sunday! pic.twitter.com/5I3574n64I

— Dianne Ketchie (@cdketchie) March 24, 2024

Grayson’s ready for the Tarheel 10 miler! Had to make sure everyone knew who his favorite team is! pic.twitter.com/3ar3KDwD3P

— Dianne Ketchie (@cdketchie) April 20, 2024

Thank you @PackSoftball for this amazing bat for Grayson! Grayson has been going through an incredibly tough season lately and this has brought him so many giggles this afternoon! We can’t wait to be back out in the spring to cheer them on! pic.twitter.com/1j6WPXejzn

— Dianne Ketchie (@cdketchie) November 26, 2024

Grayson is game day ready now! pic.twitter.com/TCbZUBqq3N

— Dianne Ketchie (@cdketchie) December 25, 2024

2024 has been a tough year for Grayson, but we’ve also made a ton of really good memories! Hopeful that 2025 brings more good days than bad, but no matter what, we know we have so many people in our corner and that means more than you could know. Happy New Year! pic.twitter.com/UVW3f1ol47

— Dianne Ketchie (@cdketchie) December 31, 2024

Happy Birthday Grayson!! pic.twitter.com/bXIUYQwdLN

— Dianne Ketchie (@cdketchie) March 16, 2025

Grayson's mother posted on Twitter that family received email that they do not give enough to WPC to get WBB tickets in 2025-26

She has deleted tweet

Request/appeal if anyone has extra tickets to share with this family even if on game by game basis

As we've shared before with our social media family and Grayson's fan base, Grayson has been battling pneumonia off and on for over a year now. Over the past year, we have tried numerous and extensive interventions to heal his lungs.

None of these interventions have helped as we hoped, so our plan now is to provide comfort to Grayson through what comes next. His hospice team says that given the past six months in addition to the current continuous need for oxygen, our time is most likely extremely limited.

Grayson continues to surprise us, so the total amount of time is completely up to him and he is still very much himself in personality and sass. We are inviting his family, friends and fans to visit during his "office hours" (we will share these details soon) and have set up

a Meal Train for those wishing to support him and us in this time. Please understand that this is a very difficult time for us. We will share details of his office hours and any following details through our CaringBridge site.

a Meal Train for those wishing to support him and us in this time. Please understand that this is a very difficult time for us. We will share details of his office hours and any following details through our CaringBridge site. https://t.co/0S0VFSFph8

— Dianne Ketchie (@cdketchie) February 8, 2026

From Caring Bridge

Grayson is so strong, and continues to amaze us with this strength and his ability to bring smiles and joy, even as he struggles with persistent pneumonia. The care team at his hospice, Transitions Kids believes his time with us is now extremely limited. His comfort and making good memories are now Tim and Dianne's priority, while his hospice team from Transitions Kids supports them all. And Ms. Wuf? Oh you bet she's there, doing what best friends do--she and Grayson are always besties.

https://www.caringbridge.org/site/da1028e6-02b9-11f1-a6e6-53a40a4b65b0

From Gus, former Ms Wuf
February 10
Caring Bridge

Hi Grayson lovers.

This week has taken a turn we weren't quite prepared for yet, and we will be moving Grayson to the hospice house this morning for additional nursing support.

If there is anyone wishing to drop by, please text me, Gus, at (go to Caring Bridge for number)to check in on whether or not he feels up to visitors and for the hospice house address.

Love,
Grayson's Gang

From Gus, former Ms Wuf
February 10
Caring Bridge

Hi Grayson lovers.

This week has taken a turn we weren't quite prepared for yet, and we will be moving Grayson to the hospice house this morning for additional nursing support.

If there is anyone wishing to drop by, please text me, Gus, at (go to Caring Bridge for number)to check in on whether or not he feels up to visitors and for the hospice house address.

Love,
Grayson's Gang

Please keep Grayson in your thoughts.https://t.co/Kr45oHouKD

— Dianne Ketchie (@cdketchie) February 11, 2026

February 11
Day 2 at the Hospice House

Grayson is being well attended by a steady rotation of visitors from family and friends to Wolfpack student-athletes, coaches and of course, Ms. Wuf. Things seem to be holding steady for the moment, though our boy is a little snoozy. We are still more than happy for visitors to stop by for a squeeze. You can text Gus at number in Caring Bridge post for the address.

Love,
Grayson's Gang

Please keep the family in your thoughts and prayers.

NC State superfan Grayson Ketchie, 14, remained true to his Wolfpack to the end By Jadyn Watson-Fisher Updated February 13, 2026 3:57 PM
N.C. State mascot Ms. Wuf sat on the edge of Grayson Ketchie's bed Wednesday and held his hand as he lay with a wash cloth across his forehead. He curled up under a "Tuffy" blanket, surrounded by a stream of visitors most of whom wore red in his hospice room. Ketchie, the 14-year-old N.C. State superfan, died a day later, on Thursday, about a month before his 15th birthday. He had battled chronic pneumonia for the past year and a half, in addition to other health challenges he faced throughout his life.
Grayson has touched lives near and far, and his impact will live on far beyond any of our wildest dreams," his mother, Dianne Ketchie said in a social media post. "He embodied joy and kindness and never knew a stranger. We could all stand to live our lives a little more like him." Prior to his death, loved ones traveled from all over the country to be with Grayson and his parents, Dianne and Tim. Some cut work trips short. Others booked flights on short notice.
Nine former cheerleaders who played Ms. Wuf were among his visitors.
Wednesday, members of the N.C. State football program, including head coach Dave Doeren, sent videos expressing their support, appreciation and admiration. They said he taught them they can handle any obstacle in their lives, his aunt Amy Lowell recalled.
Grayson has been an inspiration to so many people because of his toughness, perseverance and attitude," Doeren said in a statement on Thursday. "Our prayers are with the Ketchie family." The N.C. State softball team took time out of its training schedule to spend time with him, too. For a boy whose favorite activities included the Wolfpack, It was the most appropriate way to spend his final days. His death came days after his mother announced that the family's time with Grayson was "most likely extremely limited." His care team cited the ongoing pneumonia efforts to heal his lungs were unsuccessful and his need for continuous oxygen. He was moved to Transitions LifeCare Hospice Home on Tuesday for additional monitoring and medical support.

Gus Camille, a former Ms. Wuf, and Lowell said he was comfortable and surrounded by love. "Grayson has touched people. Grayson has touched people he's never met," Camille said. "He turns everyone that he does. You are forever changed just for crossing paths with him. I think his impact has been so widespread and so profound, because every single minute, he radiates joy."


Ms. Wuf was his' Grayson met Ms. Wuf, at the time played by Camille, during a women's basketball game 11 years ago. He was 3. Dianne Ketchie took him outside the gym, hoping to soothe his fussiness where they stumbled into the lovable mascot. Still in character, Camille joined the family at their seats later in the game. Grayson put his hands on the Ms. Wuf costume's nose and laid his head down on the snout. He didn't want autographs or pictures. He just wanted to sit and exist together, Camille said.

At the conclusion of the game, Grayson used sign language to communicate that he wanted "more." Dianne Ketchie listed off things he could've been referring to, and he answered affirmatively when she mentioned Ms. Wuf. She contacted the spirit team's Facebook page, expressing gratitude for the time Camille spent with their family. "That was the end of it, that was it," Camille said. "Ms. Wuf was his at that point." That connection spawned a lasting bond, not only with Ms. Wuf as played by Camille, but with each Ms. Wuf who followed.


And they were not just acquaintances or casual friends. They became sisters. Grayson knew each of the different cheerleaders who played the character, too, making up different games and hand gestures for each individual person. Camille and her fellow Ms. Wufs attended birthday parties, "friendiversary" celebrations, and adoption day get-togethers. They made home and hospital visits. They took professional portraits together. Some went on trips, as well.

Over the years, Ketchie family meetings turned into Ms. Wuf reunions with the women whom Tim and Dianne now call their "bonus daughters." "[I met] tiny Grayson in the hallway, and my life said, 'hard left turn,'" Camille said. Even in his fragile state this week, Grayson showed, in his own way, that he recognized everyone who came to see him. He still recognized his sisters, even when they showed up in costume. "You can't say he doesn't communicate," Lowell said. "He's nonverbal, but his communication is layered and special and intricate.

Grayson picked every single one of us' Grayson certainly benefitted emotionally and psychologically from his "sisters," but they, too reaped rewards. Camille got a bonus family, in addition to her own parents and relatives.


Lowell said her life is richer because she knows the people Grayson chose. Tim and Dianne Ketchie had a support system that only grew through Grayson's life. Lowell said it was "magical" to watch the support Ms. Wuf, as a group, provided to the Ketchies during their son's life. Grayson was a boy whose energy and desire for connection brought people together. "We sat in the room [Wednesday night] and we said, we all have such a collection of people," Camille said. "It's all because Grayson picked every single one of us. I promise, when he picked every single person, he knew what he was picking them for, what purpose everyone would serve."
The N.C. State softball team became a recipient of Grayson's support and affection, just like basketball and football. The nature of the sport, however, provided a level of intimacy the others didn't.

Whenever he felt up for it, Dianne and Tim did their best to get Grayson to games. Sometimes that meant he was in shorts and sunglasses, other times it meant he was cozy in a coat and blankets. Grayson was one of the team's most devoted fans, regardless of the weather. "From the moment I joined the Wolfpack, the Ketchie family has welcomed me with open arms," N.C. State softball coach Lindsay Leftwich said in a statement. "Grayson's support, joy and love has been a constant reminder of why we do this thing at all: For the people who love us and show up for us every day. We are honored and grateful to have been given a chance to do that for him the last three years."

Leftwich said love is one of the team's key traits, calling it the greatest form of aggression. People and teams fight harder for the things they love.

The Pack softball team loved Grayson. Dianne Ketchie's social media features dozens of photos with the team, and countless "likes" and comments from current and former players even when posts weren't related to the sport. "It was easy for us to fight for and with Grayson," Leftwich said. "We are better for Grayson's presence in our program, and they will always have a home with Wolfpack softball."

Loved ones lined the hallway for an honor walk as Grayson's body was wheeled out of his room and into a waiting vehicle outside. They wore red. Dianne Ketchie, wearing an N.C. State sweatshirt, held her son's Ms. Wuf stuffed animal.

They watched as the current Ms. Wuf accompanied his gurney. One last walk for a boy and his best friend. And, as Grayson was loaded into the back of the van, the different generations of Ms. Wuf circled him as they said goodbye. One person held a giant N.C. State flag in his honor.

The scene was quite a bit different than the joy the Ketchies felt almost 15 years ago. Grayson was born on March 16, 2011. His parents adopted him and subsequently gave him his first N.C. State hat on April 4 of the same year.


May all of us who he touched carry a little of Grayson in our hearts," Dianne Ketchie said, "and remember to laugh a little more and love a little harder." Grayson's quantity of life was less than most, but what he lacked in years he gained in quality. He had parents who were there for every appointment and every procedure until his last breath; who fought to give him a comfortable life and a childhood. His legacy is one of unbridled happiness and community. He cared about his friends, family, pets, Disney and the Wolfpack


His loved ones will remember the way his hugs felt, the way his laugh sounded and the way he accepted everyone. He jumped in with no reservations. As the van pulled out of the parking lot, a Cary Fire Department escort in tow, those in attendance lifted their arms and held up the traditional "Wolfpack" hand gesture and a collective chant of "Go Pack" rang out into the evening. It was only fitting for Grayson's final farewell.

Read more at: https://www.newsobserver.com/sports/college/acc/nc-state/article314662973.html#storylink=cpy