A little boy who won the support of Kim Kardashian, Mark Wahlberg, Will Ferrell and Tom Brady as he battled a fatal brain tumor has died just nine months after being diagnosed.
Devin Suau was a healthy six-year-old when he fell off his snowboard in early February.
His parents James and Christine took him to the hospital to check that he wasn’t concussed.
To their horror, the scan revealed he was not concussed; he had an inoperable brain tumor known as Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG).
Doctors told the parents-of-four from Framingham, Massachusetts, that, at most, their youngest child Devin would live two years.
His family launched a campaign with the hashtag #whynotdevin to bolster funding for research, which was shared and supported by celebrities including Kim Kardashian and basketball team the Boston Celtics.
Today, his family informed their millions of well-wishers that Devin had passed away.
Tragic: Devin Suau, six, has passed away after a nine-month battle with an inoperable tumor
Devin was diagnosed with a brain tumor known as DIPG in February (pictured last year)
On Friday morning, Devin’s mother Christine posted this message on Facebook
His mother Christine wrote on Facebook: ‘With a beyond shattered heart and soul, I write this post to tell you the our little super hero lost his very courageous battle early this morning surrounded by Jay and I and the boys. I know my mom was waiting with the buggest hug along with all those who earned their beautiful wings before us. Please continue to pray for my boys. Today is the worst day of our lives.’
DIPG is a very rare and aggressive form of cancer typically found in children between ages five to nine. It has no known survivors.
Only between 200 and 300 children in the US are diagnosed each year.
This type of tumor is located at the base of the brain and the top of the spine.
Over time, it impacts all essential bodily functions: heartbeat, breathing, swallowing, eyesight and balance.
On Friday, sports teams and celebrities rush to offer their condolences to the family and pay tribute to Devin.
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady made a speech at a press conference for the club today, saying: ‘I would say I was lucky to be in that boat with him and it’s obviously – going through a lot. I’ve been fortunate to meet a lot of brave, amazing people over the years and it’s a very tough situation so I hope the family’s doing ok.’
Kim Kardashian drove suppport for Devin after tweeting about his story in February
The Celtics, the Patriots, the New York Mets and the Boston Breakers were just a few of the teams which tweeted RIP to Devin, as well as Mayor Marty Walsh.
During treatment, Devin underwent radiation – a treatment that doctors say is the best that can be done to keep him comfortable.
‘Life changing. Three weeks ago we were a normal family doing normal activities,’ James, Devin’s father, told FOX 25 at the time.
‘We got some of the results today that he has high grade, which means it’s faster growing,’ added his mother, Christine.
While there are no treatments or cures for the tumor, he and his parents traveled to London in June for a specialist type of chemotherapy in a bid to control the tumor’s growth.
Devastating: Devin (pictured with his mother, Christine) was snowboarding with his family when he fell and hit his head. His parents just assumed he had a concussion
Happier times: Devin (pictured second from right, with his three brothers) has been described by his family as a child who loves to snowboard, and play soccer and lacrosse
Fighting: The family has started the #whynotdevin to raise awareness for the disease and in the hopes that Devin could be the first to live through the terminal diagnosis
Celebrity support: A number of public figures came out in support of Devin. At the parade celebrating the Super Bowl win of the New England Patriots, Devin (picture second from the left) and his brothers met MVP quarterback Tom Brady
Hope: Devin’s father, James (pictured far right), said the family couldn’t stand by and do nothing: ‘These kids are not given a very long time once they’re diagnosed. If we don’t do something for Devin, or any other child in this situation, its heartbreaking’
The family started the hashtag #whynotdevin – as in, why shouldn’t Devin be the first child to live through this terminal diagnosis.
Since then the Massachusetts State Police, the Harvard hockey team, members of the military and families all over their country offered support.
The family also participated in the parade celebrating the New England Patriots, fresh off their Super Bowl win, and met MVP quarterback Tom Brady.
‘These kids are not given a very long time once they’re diagnosed. If we don’t do something for Devin, or any other child in this situation, its heartbreaking,’ James said.
The family set up aFacebook page where they posted updates on Devin’s fight as well as a GoFundMe page to help cover Devin’s medical costs.