Assateague Horse Named After Young Cancer Victim

One of the latest additions to the herd of wild horses on Assateague Island has been given a meaningful name, thanks to a contest winner from Phoenix, Md. The sorrel mare, previously known by an alpha-numeric code, now carries the name 'Rohan' in memory of a young cancer victim.

Naming Contest and Its Winner

Each year, the Assateague Island Alliance (AIA), the friends group of the Assateague Island National Seashore, holds naming contests for new foals. These contests allow the public to assign names to the young horses, moving away from their generic alpha-numeric identifiers. This year, Kristina Walsh, 23, from Phoenix, Md., won the contest and chose the name 'Rohan,' which means 'ascending.'

Inspiration Behind the Name

Walsh's choice was inspired by Ronan Thompson, a young boy who passed away from cancer. Ronan's story gained national attention when Taylor Swift wrote a song about him, which she performed at a Stand Up to Cancer telethon in 2012. The song, titled 'Ronan,' resonated with Walsh, prompting her to dedicate the foal's name in his memory.

Ronan's Legacy

Ronan Thompson was diagnosed with neuroblastoma in 2010. His mother, Maya Thompson, documented their journey through a blog called 'Rockstar Ronan.' The blog captured the attention of Taylor Swift, who followed Ronan's battle and was moved to write the song in his honor.

With the naming rights, Walsh also assumes symbolic foster parenting duties for Rohan. She hopes to connect with Ronan's family to offer them the honorary foster parent role for the foal.

"If possible, I would love to find a way to let his Mom know about it and actually give up my right to be the foster parent in lieu of his siblings being the honorary foster parent of her," Walsh said.

Originally Posted By The Dispatch