Melissa, better known as Archer’s mom, is blessed to be at the heart of the Hill family and forever and always a boy mom. Her greatest joy is that God called her to be a wife to Matt and mom to the three Hill brothers,  Connor, Hudson and Archer.  In October of 2023, Archer was diagnosed with DIPG and fought a battle that no mother could ever imagine and through the pain of losing their sweet boy, the Hill family was galvanized into action and called to support other families fighting alongside their DIPG warriors. 

In the midst of Archer’s treatment, he prayed a prayer that has become the bedrock of the Archer Foundation and the Hill family as they learn to live life without the littlest Hill brother. “Lord, thank you for helping me do the hard things I can’t.”  Melissa prays this every day as she works to connect and support families like her own so their focus can be on caring for their precious children.

Lori DaSilva, known to Archer as LoLo, is a proud mother to three children—Megan, Taylor, and Carson—alongside her  husband, John. Lori’s journey into advocacy began when she connected with the Hill family through her son's baseball team, where Matt, Archer's father, served as the coach. This initial friendship blossomed into a deep bond with Melissa and their family, particularly after Archer's birth.

When Archer was diagnosed with Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG), Lori felt an urgent need to support the Hill family during this challenging time. Recognizing a significant lack of resources and guidance for families facing such a devastating diagnosis, she took it upon herself to seek help and find ways to assist them in navigating the difficult path ahead. Lori’s tireless efforts were driven by her desire to combat the overwhelming hopelessness that often accompanies this diagnosis and her commitment to providing comfort and support to families in similar situations. “Archer Hill left a lasting footprint on my heart; his love for others and the Lord was truly inspirational,” she reflects.

Motivated by Archer’s spirit and the love he shared with those around him, Lori is devoted to giving back to the community by helping other families struggling with DIPG. She continues to advocate for comprehensive support and information, hoping and praying for a future where a cure for this horrendous cancer is found—for the sake of children like Archer Hill, and in his loving memory.

Matt, better known as Archer’s dad or Coach Matt is the proud dad of Connor, Hudson and Archer.  His passion for coaching baseball has led him to positively impact hundreds of young athletes over the course of coaching all three of his boys.  When Archer was diagnosed with DIPG, Matt was the rock and continual source of strength for his family, walking through that unimaginable journey with unshakable faith in his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  Experiencing the pain of pediatric brain cancer and losing a son to such a devastating disease inspired Matt to help others battling alongside their own children. He believes that there is always hope and his goal is that the Archer Foundation be a source of comfort and support to families in need in honor of Archer Matthew Hill's legacy.