Northborough – In November 2014 nine-year-old Liam Fitzgerald became an Internet sensation when a video clip of him “fist bumping” Boston Bruins players as they came off the ice at TD Garden in Boston went viral. The clip was shared across the globe and viewed on YouTube nearly 100,000 times.
The youngster is now inviting the public to participate in a chain reaction group fist bump fundraiser for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LSS) to be held Sunday, April 12 in the parking lot located at 290 West Main St., Northborough from 2 – 4 p.m.
Liam was born with Downs Syndrome and diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) in December of 2009. After four years of treatment, he had his last cancer treatment in May 2013.
After seeing the impact that Liam and his video clip had on people, his parents Christine and Bill Fitzgerald decided to nominate him for the LLS Man of the Year competition. They are asking for donations over the course of 10 weeks; each dollar raised equals one vote. Funds will help find cures and ensure access to treatment for blood cancer patients.
Liam’s campaign encourages people to donate $5 and post a photo or video on social media of them fist bumping someone and challenging five additional people to fist bump others. By using the Twitter hashtag #BumpOutCancer! the family will see how far Liam’s message can reach.
In addition to Liam, the April 12 event will also recognize Christian Campero, Max Blasco and William Furgal and all cancer fighters and survivors.
Suggested donation for participation is $5 per person and will be collected at the registration table on the day of the event. Checks can be made payable to LLS (Leukemia and Lymphoma Society) with a memo of “Fist Bump.” If you are unable to attend the event, donations can be mailed to Liam Fitzgerald, 27 Overlock Drive, Northborough MA 01532.
Kids’ activities and games are being planned by local businesses and organizations including the Westborough TD Bank, Northborough Berkshire Bank, Northborough Walmart, Westborough Target, Boroughs Family Branch YMCA of Central Mass. and Northborough Wegmans.
Offsite parking will be available next door at Santander Bank, 300 West Main St. The event will be held rain or shine.
If you are a local organization or business who would like to volunteer your time or sponsor the event in some way, please contact Julie at [email protected].
For more information on Liam’s campaign, visit www.mwoy.org/pages/ma/ma15/lfitzgeral. To keep up to date on the event, like the Facebook page Northborough – Get Your Bump.