Community gathers to remember Lane Goodwin - 14 News, WFIE, Evansville, Henderson, Owensboro

Community gathers to remember Lane Goodwin

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Posted by Kara Mattingly - bio | email
By Araceli Thiele - bio | email
In the last months of his life, the Thumbs Up For Lane campaign raised awareness about childhood cancer, not just here but across the country. In the last months of his life, the Thumbs Up For Lane campaign raised awareness about childhood cancer, not just here but across the country.

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BEECH GROVE, KY (WFIE) -

Hundreds of mourners attended Monday's funeral for Lane Goodwin who brought nationwide attention to childhood cancer.

What was a rather public battle with cancer, became an intimate gathering of close family and friends for the young boy who started a huge movement.

"I thank every one of you from the bottom of my heart for remembering my grandson," said Lane's grandfather, William Goodwin.

Lane lived a healthy 10 years before being diagnosed with an aggressive form of childhood cancer. He fought for his life, enduring months of chemo and several rounds of radiation.
His family thought he was in the clear until a scan revealed he had 13 tumors in his body.

"We got all the extra loving we could get out of that boy, and we enjoyed every last day. I've never met a young man that died with such gallantry in life. He was prepared to meet his maker," William said.

Lane and his family documented his last months on a Facebook page, Prayers for Lane Goodwin. In hopes of raising awareness and funds for childhood cancer, Lane had a goal to get 100,000 likes. Today, there are nearly 400,000.

"Everyone with their kindness their love, and their warmth has made us stand up just a little bit taller, and now, it's a day of rest," William said. "It's been a pleasure to have Lane Goodwin as a grandson."

Lane's family issued a statement after the funeral thanking their supporters,

"The past few days have been an amazing celebration and remembrance of Lane as family, friends and Team Lane members traveled from far distances to express their sympathy and show their support. Thank you to everyone who has prayed with us, cried with us and laughed with us as we have shared our memories.

Thousands of people have told us of the impact Lane has made in their lives. His journey has changed the face of childhood cancer and we are confident that the awareness the Thumbs Up movement has created will lead to a cure. 

We miss Lane, and our lives will never be the same without him.  Now and in the days ahead we find comfort in our faith and our belief that one day we will be reunited with our sweet Lane.  Please continue to keep our family in your thoughts and prayers."

On Monday, his family started a webpage devoted to fighting childhood cancer. You can find it at thumbsupforlane.org.

It is still under construction, but you can make donations through the website.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that expressions of sympathy take the form of donations to the Thumbs Up for Lane Goodwin Childhood Cancer Foundation.

The foundation's information is:

Thumbs Up for Lane Goodwin Childhood Cancer Foundation
C/O Independence Bank
P.O. Box 39
Livermore, Kentucky, 42352
Or you can also donate through a PayPal account using the email donate@thumbsupforlane.org.

Memorial contribution envelopes will be available at Calhoun Baptist Church and at Musters in Calhoun.

Click here for a the Slideshow:Thumbs up for Lane

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