Chairman in Perpetuity, Bend Your Knees, Inc. was incorporate October 31st, 2011 to carry out Collins’ wishes to “Give Back” to others. As his body grew weaker, his faith grew stronger and he showed us all how to FINISH STRONG! in his faith in Jesus Christ.

Sonny passed away on March 10, 2019. Sonny is one of Collins’ older brothers, and served as the parliamentary officer for the BYK Board. Sonny, an University of Alabama Alumni, became involved with the charity after watching his brother battle his fight with a pediatric brain tumor. He served on the board since the foundation began.

Collins’ Dad

Bob serves as President/CEO of Bend Your Knees, Inc.. Bob’s commitment of serving others in loving memory of Collins and Sonny is at the heart of what he does. His legacy is built on his devotion to faith, family and friends. His strength to overcome hardships and rise up after crippling losses comes from the love shown back to him through a lifetime of friendships. Love has been the unbreakable constant and honor the driving force behind every venture in his life.

Youth Outreach Coordinator

Ron is Collins and Sonny brother and a graduate of Oglethorpe University. When in high school, Ron and his fellow Cherokee High School student, Josh Thomas, wanted to make a difference in the community and started the FINISH STRONG! Foundation to raise awareness of pediatric brain tumors in schools and at various community events. The proceeds of the FINISH STRONG! tee shirts and apparel they sold was donated to the Bend Your Knees Foundation to be used to help families in their time of need.

Director

Amy Turcotte works in Cherokee County Juvenile Court. She has a husband and four children. Amy has been involved with youth sports, and that is where she began her service of encouraging and supporting Collins’ Journey. Amy is passionate about supporting Collins’ foundation, Bend Your Knees, and she believes God brought her the entire Dixon family as special friends to encourage and support in the fight to find a cure for childhood brain cancer. She would love you to join us in the mission of helping other families and children who are faced with childhood brain cancer!

Director

Collins was an inspiration to her. Wanda says, “Collins taught me a lot about life to always have faith, never give up and Finish Strong! He did! I want to live my life by helping others have Collin’s faith, courage & love to make a difference for families struggling with brain tumors. May God continue to help others and bless BYK Foundation. Collins…your still inspiring others today!”

As owners of Jersey Mikes in Canton, Randy and Wanda are thankful to be a part of Collins’ foundation.

Director

Tony has over thirty years of civic and community service, and continues to serve his community today. Tony received his Bachelor of Science degree from Florida A&M University, and has attended several executive courses from Harvard University.

Tony and his wife, Kelly, have been married over 25 years, and have a daughter (Morgan) and son (Tony Jr. – Collins friend and basketball teammate) and have resided in Canton, GA over 17 years.

With a commitment to service, Tony consistently gets involved in recreational, community and civic causes. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Cherokee County (Malon D. Mims) Boys & Girls Club (President of the Board of Directors 2011 – 2014). Additionally, he currently serves as the President of the Board of Directors for the Food Truck Association of Georgia, Board of Directors, Cherokee County Education Foundation, Ride To The Olympics Foundation, Advisory Board for Sinergy Elastomers Inc, Past Board President, Big Brothers & Big Sisters of Davidson, NC, CEO Myrtle Beach Winter Golf Invitational (the largest African American golf tournament in the nation), Past President, United States African American Golf Association. Tony has been a YouthSports Coach, volunteer for Habitat for Humanity, Kids Bible Clubs, MUST Ministries, and several other charitable organizations.

Tony’s Favorite Quote: “A negative mind will never give you a positive life”

Coaches Outreach Coordinator

As Coaches Outreach Coordinator Coach Law maintains and builds relationships with Cherokee County coaches (and beyond) helping them understand the mission of Collins’ foundation.

Honorary Board Member – Awareness, Research

Director of Pediatric Neuro-Oncology Program at the Aflac Cancer & Blood Disorders Center of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Emory Univerisity School of Medicine