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Updated: 10:54 PM Jan 22, 2012
Community Raises Money, Shows Support for Late Teen
More than one month after a Greene County teenager lost his battle with cancer, his family still struggles with the loss and the medical bills. On Saturday, the Greene County community showed its support for the family of 15-year-old Zack Collier.
Posted: 4:28 PM Jan 21, 2012Reporter: Chris Stover Email Address: chris.stover@newsplex.com |
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January 21, 2012
More than one month after a Greene County teenager lost his battle with cancer, his family still struggles with the loss and the medical bills.
On Saturday, the Greene County community showed its support for the family of 15-year-old Zack Collier.
"You can't give them what you really want to give them, which is him back. But you can ease a little bit of the financial burden," said Katherine Hughes, a family friend who organized a fundraiser at the American Legion in Stanardsville. "It's not the same but it helps a little bit."
Zack lost his battle with a rare form of leukemia in December, which continues to take a toll on his family both emotionally and financially.
"Breathe and talk to him every day and try to get through it. That's all we can do," said Natasha Collier, Zack's aunt.
"With the rising medical bills still, there's funeral costs now," Hughes said.
In his memory, the celebration drew family and friends who came together as a community. The event featured raffles and auctions.
"There's been so much support and there's been so many people showing how much they love Zack and how much he meant to everybody," Collier said.
The family still feels the pain of Zack's death one month later. They're trying to find comfort through events like these.
"It's a community and to have a community backing you, it sends a positive message," Hughes said.
And that positive message reaches far beyond the walls of the American Legion Hall.
"He's here," Hughes said. "He might not be physically present, but he's here. He's represented in there in a lot of ways."
"We'll never forget him, and things like this help," Collier said. "He'll always be a memory in everybody's eyes."
Zack was originally diagnosed with leukemia at the age of 5. He later went into remission before the cancer returned.
Friends have set up a fund for Zack Collier and his family at Bank of America. Donations to the family are being accepted at all Bank of America locations.
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