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Flint, MI. (WJRT) — The Pastor of Living Word Church consoled friends and family of Buddy ‘Braden’ Miller Wednesday morning, saying “This wasn’t a day that we were hoping would come this soon. We were wanting to push it out and push it out; and I think through prayer, we pushed that day out a long way. We did.”
There wasn’t a room big enough for the hundreds whose lives Buddy touched. Through the sea of traditional funeral black, bright lights of neon green popped out. That was Buddy’s favorite color.
“He impacted a lot of people, you know, before and I’m hoping after,” longtime friend Midge Gooch said.
At just 7-years-old Buddy was diagnosed with the inoperable brain tumor, DIPG. The doctors gave him 6 to 9 months to live, but Buddy’s family and friends would help the now 4th grader survive for 21 months.
Buddy’s Dad stood up in front of the crowd of hundreds who came to thank them, making it clear their prayers and financial donations are what gave them more time with their son.
Gooch was one of the first to step up and join Team Buddy Boy.
“I think it brought us all together. That’s a great thing, you know. The Flushing community where they grew up, the New Lothrop where they live now,” she said.
Countless fundraisers raised tens of thousands of dollars for doctor bills and trips to Mexico for experimental treatment. Many of those planned by Buddy’s school community in New Lothrop.
“Our students, they’ve wanted to – from our volleyball, softball, football, basketball teams, they’ve wanted to support this family. And so no, I’ve never seen anything like this,” said Superintendent Anthony Berthiaume.
He cancelled school Wednesday so everyone could be there for Buddy’s older sisters and family.
“I think we can all take a lesson from Buddy and his family in regards to keeping positive through all the tough times you may be going through,” Berthiaume added.
Buddy’s family said they’re not giving up their fight against DIPG. They’ve already been helping other parents who got the same horrific diagnosis.
And U of M Hospital now has Buddy’s tumor, as the search for a cure continues.
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