Omaha Boy Dies After Brave Fight Against Cancer

POSTED: 8:02 pm CST December 26, 2011

OMAHA, Neb. -- An Omaha boy, followed by KETV as he bravely battled brain cancer, died last week shortly after turning 11 years old.The first time KETV met Evan Sharp in September of 2010, he smiled at the camera and spoke two simple words: ?I?m amazing.?Evan was 9 at the time, diagnosed months earlier with a brain tumor. A teacher noticed changes in Evan?s handwriting around the same time his parents noticed he was having trouble at baseball, leading to the diagnosis.After spending a summer undergoing surgery and months of chemotherapy and radiation, Evan returned to class. He spent his 4th grade year studying, laughing with friends, and undergoing more treatment.KETV followed up with Evan in May of 2011. It seemed like a miracle had taken place; it appeared Evan?s tumor was gone.Evan returned to the baseball field with his team. Though still unable to play, Evan cheered from the dugout and was proud to say he had rolled in the dirt before the game started. Evan led the team chant during the huddle after the game and laughed as his teammates heckled him during his interview.?If you do get this type of cancer, or any type of cancer, just hope and pray it doesn't come back,? Evan told KETV Newswatch 7?s Brandi Petersen. ?That's what I did and it worked.?Just weeks after that story aired, Evan started showing symptoms again. In August, a scan confirmed a tumor in Evan?s brain stem.Evan faced more treatment and more difficult challenges as his condition worsened, but he still projected a positive attitude.Former Nebraska standout and current New York Yankee Joba Chamberlain visited Evan in the fall. Evan, a huge baseball fan, got to talk to the baseball player and get a jersey signed. Joba told Evan he?d get him tickets for the Yankees opening day game in the spring.Evan died Wednesday night at home, surrounded by his family. He just turned 11 the week before.Monday, the day after Christmas, Evan?s family told him goodbye during a private funeral service. They will hold a public service the night of January 8 at Christ Community Church. His mother, Rhonda Sharp, told KETV Monday that Evan would not want people to be sad at Christmas.One viewer who emailed KETV after Evan?s death wrote ?Evan earned his angel wings.?If there?s baseball in Heaven, no doubt Evan is out on the field, smiling.Watch KETV Newswatch 7 at 10 for a tribute to Evan Sharp.

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Source: http://www.ketv.com/news/30078009/detail.html

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