MURFREESBORO, TN (WSMV) -
One Rutherford County teen has lost her battle with a rare form of cancer, but her fight and legacy may save many other lives.
"Pray for Tay" has been a phrase that spread awareness of childhood cancer over social network sites for the past three years after Murfreesboro softball player Taylor Filorimo was diagnosed with cancer.
"The Lady Warriors had won the championship in Panama City, and they were invited to play in Illinois. And while they were playing up there, they went out to eat one night and Taylor fell ill with a pain in her abdomen," said Filorimo's uncle Chris Green.
Filorimo had a rare form of kidney cancer.
"It's called renal cell carcinoma, typically found in adult males," Green said.
Filorimo was transported by LifeFlight to Vanderbilt Medical Center on Tuesday, where she passed away Wednesday afternoon.
Friends at Riverdale High School were remembering their thoughtful friend Thursday.
"Even when she went out in public, she wasn't afraid to let everyone know she was bald because she wanted to make sure everyone knew about childhood cancer," said friend Caroline Faulkner.
Each day in America, seven kids die of the disease and every week 46 more are diagnosed.
"She attacked the cancer diagnosis just the way she would softball. She really got after it and was really a warrior and never gave into it. So you might say she was, to our kids, inspirational," said softball coach Jeff Breeden.
Taylor's own inspiring words continue to spread awareness on T-shirts worn by friends, and a tribute banner will be rolled out for her at Riverdale on Friday.
Regina Raccuglia, with the Red Cross, said just an hour-and-a-half of your day spent donating platelets at the Red Cross can help cancer fighters, too.
"They need platelets to help their cells get healthier and to battle cancer. It is a very important part of their healing process," she said.
Funeral services for Taylor Filorimo are set for Saturday at the Saint Ignatius Catholic Church in Antioch.
A fund has been established to help with medical expenses in her name at any branch of Suntrust Bank.
For more information on how and where you can donate blood and platelets, visit: http://www.redcrossblood.org/donation-centers/TennesseeValley.
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