Young Nats Fan Passes Away After Battling Cancer

A young boy who passed away after a three-year battle with cancer this week was remembered by his family and friends at a vigil Wednesday.

Gavin Rupp, 13, helped throw out the first pitch earlier this month, followed by an hour conversation with left fielder Bryce Harper, his favorite National.

Rupp, of Ashland, Va., was battling Glioblastoma Brain Cancer. An inoperable tumor had returned to his brain in June.

"When we left the ballpark that night, it was magical," Gavin's father, Chris Rupp told News4. "I think that Bryce did that for me. It brought back the Gavin that I lost for a couple days."

He hopes the attention his son's passing is gaining helps raise research dollars for pediatric cancers.

"I love it that Gavin is viewed as a warrior, but he's only one of the thousands of kids fighting cancer," Chris Rupp said.

During a vigil Wednesday at Gavin's school, hundreds gathered with Gavin's family, paying tribute to their young hero.

The day prior, as news spread of Gavin's death, Harper shared his condolences via Twitter.

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