Brendan knew his ‘purpose in life’

Brendan Franco didn’t know how much time he had before he died, but he hoped he had enough time to make a difference — and he did.

Even though Brendan’s heroic battle with cancer ended Sept. 20, his wish for others to be cured of the disease is going stronger than ever.

Thirteen-year-old Brendan passed away Thursday night after having fought lung, liver and brain cancer for more than a year.

Sometimes things happen in a person’s life that not only change them, but change the people around them as well. Remarkably, even when he was feeling his worst, he never focused on himself and inspired this community.

Brendan will be remembered as a fighter, friend, son and someone who was loved by everyone, but more importantly, he will be remembered for his faith, courage, inspiration and wisdom beyond his years.

He has been a blessing and an inspiration for so many people. I am thankful that the Lord put him in my path and for the opportunity to share in a small part of his life.

The community has prayed for more than a year for a miracle — and his story is truly a miracle, maybe not the one we all prayed for in the beginning — but nonetheless, it is a miracle. It is a miracle that Brendan lived this long after being told he had three weeks to live in June 2011. It is also a miracle that somehow in his short life he was able to bring families together, lead people to be saved and teach us valuable lessons in life — things that some of us may never accomplish even if we live to be 90. It seems somehow fitting that Brendan would lose his battle to cancer in September, Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.

Brendan would pray for children with cancer every night and offered God his pain so they would not have to suffer. In August, he launched a movement to help raise money in support of T-cell cancer research. Before he passed, Brendan said, “God wants me to do this, this is my purpose in life.” He realized, like Albert Einstein once said, “Only a life lived for others is a life worth living,” — and even though he did not benefit from the research being conducted at Children’s Hospital and the University of Alabama at Birmingham, other children can live longer and be cured. “After seeing your own child suffer, you don’t want to 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 once the T-cell trials get under way,” Brendan’s mother, Bonnie, said.

At the request of the family, organizers of the BFF Cross Country Run and Fun Walk moved forward with last Saturday’s event in memory of Brendan. About 70 racers made it through the trails at BamaJam Farms and raised $1,200 for Brendan’s foundation. A Sept. 29, memorial Poker Run is planned to help the Francos with funeral expenses. Registration for the ride begins at 9 a.m. at the Old Homestead in Level Plains. A “Celebration of Life” fall festival is being organized as well for Oct. 27 at the Enterprise Recreational Park. Now that cancer has taken Brendan, the community has an even greater reason to work toward his goal of raising $125,000.

Perhaps one of the biggest lessons learned from Brendan’s remarkable journey, is while cancer can destroy lots of things, it will never destroy love, hope, faith, courage, spirit or eternal life.

May we never forget the impact he had on so many lives, his dreams, his selfless attitude and his faith in God. We all saw so many miracles from God during his short life. This community will never be the same because of Brendan, only better. 

For more information on Brendan’s wish to raise money for a cure, go to www.brendanfranco.com.

Funeral services will be held at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church Friday, Sept. 28. The family will receive friends from 10 to 11:45 a.m. for viewing and the Mass will begin at noon with Rev. Gregory Okorobia officiating.  Committal services will be at Alabama National Cemetery in Montevallo, on Monday, Oct. 1, at 2 p.m. with Searcy Funeral Home directing.