CHICAGO — The family of a 5-year-old Belmont Cragin boy who died after a battle with cancer is asking supporters to release orange balloons outside his funeral or donate to charity.
Lucas "Bear" Cervone had battled various forms of cancer since he was a toddler. He appeared to be recovering from a second bout with leukemia when doctors found a tumor wrapped around his heart last week. The city rallied around the 5-year-old, sending him thousands of cards to celebrate his birthday and show they cared for him.
Lucas' family took him home, where he died on Sunday.
A funeral service for Lucas will be held on Saturday, but Lucas' parents have asked that only family and close friends attend. Supporters are asked to assemble along the funeral procession on Irving Park Road east of Cumberland Avenue and the cemetery entrance at 7800 W. Irving Park Road. They can blow bubbles or release orange balloons in Lucas' memory. Orange was Lucas' favorite color.
Instead of flowers, Lucas' family asked that people make donations to organizations that helped them and their son: Family Reach, Operation North Pole Chicago, Cal's Angels, LifeSource and 12 Oaks Foundation.
Related stories:
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• Lucas 'Bear' Cervone, 5, Dies After Battling Cancer: 'He Is An Inspiration'
• Hundreds Of Cards Sent To Lucas 'Bear,' 5-Year-Old With Incurable Cancer
• Family Of Boy With Incurable Cancer Trying To Gather 500 Birthday Cards
• Robot Could Help Boy, 5, Battling Leukemia 'Go' to School After Transplant
• 'Lucas Bear,' 5-Year-Old With Cancer, To Get Needed Transplant From Germany
• Family of 'Lucas Bear,' 5, Asks Latinos to Donate Bone Marrow
• Life-Saving Bone Marrow Match Needed for 5-Year-Old Battling Leukemia
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