Friends, community rally around 17-year-old Rochester teen with cancer

ROCHESTER, Mich. (WXYZ) - The Rochester and Rochester Hills communities have rallied around a 17-year-old Rochester High School student diagnosed with cancer.

According to the GoFundMe page, Gage Garmo was diagnosed with bone cancer in his freshman year, and throughout his high school career, he had multiple surgeries and rounds of chemotherapy.

We're also told with the help of Rainbow Connection, Gage was able to meet Eminem, his idol, on Sunday night.

Gage never stopped fighting though, and continues to fight to this day, even after having his right leg amputated last year. he was the manager for the school's football team, and also participated in as many activities as possible.

Unfortunately, the cancer didn't stop when his leg was amputated, and it spread to his lungs and progressed uncontrollably.

Early last week, his friends learned Gage was put on hospice and only had about a week to live, so they decided to hold a fundraiser for him.

"It's hard. Knowing my best friend, who has always been there for me is not going to be there much longer," Tyler Goschnick said.

On Sunday, the friends are meeting at Borden Park in Rochester Hills to paint cars yellow with the hashtag #GarmoStrong and then heading to the Buffalo Wild Wings for a lunch and fundraiser for Gage and his family.

"Words cannot express what this means," Ghais Garmo, his father said of the support of the community.

Gage also wants to meet Detroit rap star Eminem, and his friends and the community have taken to Twitter using the hashtag #GarmoStrong as well as #GetGageGarmoToMeetEminem hoping Gage will have a chance to meet him.

"He's one of the most inspiring people I have ever met," his friend Gabbie Ratkowiak said.

They also are planning a candlelight vigil in his honor Monday at 6 p.m.

For information on how to donate to Gage and his family, visit their GoFundMe page here.