Fitzsimmons was diagnosed with cancer when he was six years old. He attended Northwestern Elementary School and had recently completed third grade.
He had a love for sports, especially football. During chemotherapy, Fitzsimmons received a personal video from the University of Michigan’s football coach, Jim Harbaugh, and a visit from Bengals quarterback, Andy Dalton.
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The Springfield community supported Fitzsimmons through the “Barrett Strong!” movement.
“The “Barrett Strong!” movement continues with a scholarship in his honor, fundraising events, and the fourth annual blood drive in his name,” said Lana Fitzsimmons, mother of Barrett Fitzsimmons. “We want to continue the blood drives to keep the legacy of Barrett alive.”
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Blood drive coordinator, Lee Armstrong, donated in Fitzsimmons’ name after learning about his diagnosis. He was asked by Fitzsimmons’ grandmother, Keana Preston, if the church would consider hosting a blood drive in his honor.
“It was within two months that we got on the schedule, and we’ve been doing it annually ever since,” said Armstrong. “It is our plan to continue doing an annual blood drive as donating blood saves lives.”
For more information about the blood drive, visit the Community Blood Center’s website at www.GivingBlood.org.
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