Just 11, Woodbridge nonprofit founder dies of cancer

WASHINGTON – Even though he was battling a deadly childhood cancer, this warrior was more concerned with helping other kids.

But on Sunday, the Woodbridge, Va. boy’s battle ended. Trevor Blake was 11-years- old.

“My strong brave boy received his wings,” his mom, Shannon Nuzum, posted to a blog and Facebook at 11:38 a.m. Sunday.

“As sad as we are, it’s time to move forward and carry on with the lessons he taught us. Selflessness.”

“He was focused on everybody else,” says Mike Gillette, a video producer dedicated to giving kids with cancer a voice through his project Truth 365. He says Trevor was an inspiration.

“We heard from a lot of people who were touched by Trevor.” says Gillette.

Trevor was part of Gillette’s film documentary about kids with cancer. Though sick, Gillette says Trevor was committed to helping others.

“Bald, in treatment and fighting for his life and he’s helping other children. He would walk around the hospital pulling his little wagon.”

That wagon was full of toys for other kids fighting cancer. Trevor was able to raise money for the toys through a non-profit he started called Trevor’s Treasures.

“His goal was to brighten their day,” says Gillette.

Trevor was diagnosed with stage 4 neuroblastoma when he was 5-years old. Gillette says Trevor missed out on being a teen, growing up and having kids. And part of the problem, says Gillette, is a lack of funding for childhood cancer research.

Each day in the U.S., seven kids die from cancer.

To learn more about Trevor and his mission, Nuzum’s Caring Bridge blog or the Trevor’s Treasures Facebook page.

Watch the Truth 365 documentary below. See Trevor at about 7 minutes in.

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