DENVER -- Exactly one month after celebrating one of the most exciting days of his life, a young Colorado Avalanche fan with terminal brain cancer has passed away.
Last month, FOX31 Denver introduced you to Jacob Ahrens, a 6-year-old boy from Sheridan, WY whose dying wish was granted by his “heroes of the ice.”
He got to spend a day with his favorite hockey team, the Colorado Avalanche. They invited him to team practice, a private autograph session, and gave his family special seats for their Jan. 10 game against the Nashville Predators.
At that time, it was clear Jacob’s future was in doubt. A year ago, he was diagnosed with brain cancer.
His family first noticed something was wrong when he was having difficulty in school. He kept complaining of headaches. An MRI revealed a large brain tumor. Ever since, his family has made the frequent 450-mile trek from Sheridan, WY to Denver to visit specialists at Children’s Hospital.
Jacob’s parents hoped he was getting better, but a doctor’s visit in December revealed the tumor had grown and spread to his spine. He continued chemotherapy treatments in recent weeks, but doctors said he had a one percent chance of survival. They’d given him six months to live.
Jacob died Friday at his home in Sheridan, WY. A family representative says plans for a memorial service are still pending.
