MUSKEGON, Mich. — It's been three months since 6-year-old Gavin Sima lost his three year-long battle with leukemia.
But even in the face of such tremendous loss, supporters of Gavin and his family hoping to gain much more after coming together Saturday to raise money for "Alex's Lemonade Stand," a national foundation for pediatric cancer research, in memory and honor of Gavin.
"We couldn't be more proud of this community for being able to turn something so sad into something so powerful," said Stephanie Ludlow, a family friend of the Sima's who helped coordinate Saturday's event.
"This is a prime example of people paying it forward."
FOX 17 first introduced viewers to Gavin Sima in March when his family was coping with the fact their 6-year-old son wasn't going to win his three year battle fighting Lymphoma, Myelodysplastic Syndrome & Leukemia.
Gavin passed away later that same month.
Saturday, the Beach and Reeths Puffer Youth Football programs hosted the fundraiser at Pine Park in Muskegon. Organizing the event was ultimately dreamed up by the Ludlow's 10-year-old son Evan.
"It's crazy how small he was to create this big of an impact on our world," Evan said while looking down at his bracelet that reads ' Gavin Sima, let you light shine.'
"I hope all the money we raise can eventually stop all the cancer we have."
The bracelets, along with raffle tickets for donated items were being sold Saturday. The Ludlow's said they were well on their way to exceeding their goal to raise $1,000.
"I have no idea what our total will be at the end of the day but it's going to be huge," Stephanie Ludlow said.
The Sima's were unable to attend Saturday's fundraiser but Ludlow said they have been overwhelmed and humbled by the outpouring of support they've received from the community.
"He was so small, six years old would've been seven on this past Monday but he's changing the world, his story has touched so many people that as six years he was able to change the world."
Donate here to "Alex's Lemonade Stand" in honor of Gavin Sima to benefit pediatric cancer and leukemia research.