What to Know
- Devin Suau was diagnosed with Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma in February 2017.
- His family started the #WhyNotDevin campaign to raise awareness of the rare childhood cancer.
- Oct. 27, on what would have been his 7th birthday, will now be known as "Devin Suau Day" in Boston.
Hundreds attended a vigil Friday night for a Massachusetts boy whose fight against cancer inspired thousands.
Devin Suau of Framingham passed away early Friday morning surrounded by his family. He was just a week away from his 7th birthday.
"I know my mom was waiting with the biggest hug along with all those who earned their beautiful wings before us," his mother, Christine Soutter Suau, wrote on Facebook. "Today is the worst day of our lives."
Visiting hours for Devin will be held at Saint Anselm Church in Sudbury on Monday, October 23, for friends of Devin and children who want to say goodbye from 1-3 p.m., for Devin’s Army and his community from 4-6 p.m., and for Devin’s family from 6-8 p.m.
There will be a funeral Mass for family and friends on Tuesday, October 24, at 10:00 a.m., also at Saint Anselm Church, with burial following in Edgell Grove Cemetery in Devin's hometown of Framingham.
U.S. & World
As the hearts of people around the country were breaking over Devin's death, his hometown of Framingham gathered for a vigil to celebrate his life and legacy in a night of remembrance.
"The courage he displayed as he faced this terrible disease--he was always smiling," said Mike Bower.
"He has changed the face of childhood cancer and his army will never stop fighting for him," said Heather Claflin. "He really has changed all of our lives."
Family and friends are grateful for Devin's life.
"The months have been hard but I think there's beauty in what he's shown us and continues to show us today," said family friend Andrew Hohenstein.
Numerous public officials and sports teams, including Boston Mayor Marty Walsh the New England Patriots and the Boston Celtics, offered their thoughts and prayers for Devin and his family upon learning of his passing.
Thousands have sent their condolences and remarked on Devin's courage, including Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, who had a chance to meet Devin. He spoke about him at his weekly press conference on Friday.
"You know, I've been fortunate to meet a lot of courageous people over the years, and you know, it's a very tough situation," he said, getting choked up. "I hope the family is doing OK."
The 6-year-old boy was battling Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer that affects roughly 300 children in the U.S. each year.
He was diagnosed earlier this year following an incident where he fell while snowboarding. At first his family thought he was suffering from a concussion, but tests delivered the heartbreaking news that he had an inoperable brain tumor.
After the devastating discovery, his family launched the viral social media campaign #WhyNotDevin to raise awareness and support. The hashtag was shared by sports teams and celebrities to honor the boy.
"We could not believe it," his father James Suau told NBC Boston in February. "It's still hard to believe... and our lives will never be the same again."
Last month, Oct. 27, the boy's birthday, was declared "Devin Suau Day" in Boston.
