May 23, 2013
Thursday night, 13-year-old Brendan Franco passed away after having fought lung and liver cancer.
"He fought it for about a year, but during his battle even when he was at his worst, he was an inspiration to all of us."
The Brendan Franco Cross Country Run and Fun Walk had been planned for a while now.
Many hoped they would see Brendan there.
Even after his passing, organizers decided to continue the scheduled event at the request of the family.
Brendan's father says his son wanted to help with cancer research.
"He indicated that he would maybe like to do some kind of funding. That was his most fervent hope."
Kim Lewis who organized the event says she's happy for the opportunity to get to know Brendan.
"I was able to talk to Brendan right before he passed and I gave him one of the medals that we're giving today as a prize. I wanted him to have it before he passed. I told him that this event would continue in his memory today and we're just gonna keep going, we're gonna reach that goal for him."
"After seeing your own child suffer, you don't wanna see other people suffering and so it gladdens our hearts knowing that perhaps other families, other children will not have to go through the pain associated with cancer."
Franco says his family has suffered a great deal, but he believes raising money to help other young cancer patients can be the positive part of their hardship.
