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Mpls. father organizes flashlight mob for children with cancer

When Ben Osborn's 3-year-old son, Colin, was undergoing treatment for a brain tumor, he vowed he would someday give light back to families facing a similar fight.

MINNEAPOLIS – Not many have a window into childhood cancer, but not long ago, Ben Osborn, of Minneapolis, found himself inside Children’s Minnesota, watching the stars in the sky before dawn.

His 3-year-old son, Colin, was undergoing treatment for a brain tumor.

“There was something very comforting about having the stars there, at least it was a little peace in crazy days,” said Osborn.

Osborn vowed he would someday give light back to families facing a similar fight.

During Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, he organized a flashlight mob outside Children’s Minnesota for families whose children are facing severe illness.

“It’s amazing when you go through a health crisis how many people rush into hold you up,” said Osborn. “That’s what you realize, as tough as your battle is, somebody else has it tougher. I hope for a minute they feel a little bit of peace, know people are thinking about them, people care, and they are not alone.”

A crowd stood outside the hospital, shining flashlights into rooms, while patients too sick to leave their rooms were given flashlights to shine back down into the street.

Patients like Cole Gramlow, 11, of Prior Lake looked down, at a scene luminous with love.

“I think that it’s awesome,” said Gramlow, who finished a chemo treatment early just to witness the moment.

Gramlow was diagnosed with Burkitt's lymphoma, an aggressive form of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, in August.

“He is already thinking of ways he can help people when he’s done with his battle. It’s really cool people are lifting each other up because it sucks,” said Kelly Gramlow, Cole’s mother.

Lights formed the shape of a heart, while the group, the UkuLadies, performed a special rendition of Jessie J’s “Flashlight” during the lighting.

Osborn’s son danced below with his own flashlight.

“He just started kindergarten, he’s 6, doing awesome, we are very lucky,” said Osborn. “Hopefully we can give the community a little love back and shine for them tonight.”

Osborn creates awareness through his website, Totally Brain Dad. He'll soon run the Twin Cities marathon wearing a giant brain helmet, using humor to draw more attention to pediatric tumors.

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