Social media sites like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram aren’t just used for posting pictures of your trip to the beach or your new puppy. For the late Danny Hammond, 21, they were used as an enormous support group spanning across the Philadelphia area and even as far as Hollywood.
Hammond of Springfield Township, Pennsylvania passed away Thursday after a long battle with cancer.
Hammond was diagnosed with spinal cord cancer when he was just nine years old according to his profile on Alex’s Lemonade Stand. Last March, Hammond’s cancer made its final return. His mother, Jody Hammond told of her heartbreak in an online journal when an MRI came back showing yet another tumor was growing and was cancerous.
After that it was more chemotherapy and radiation treatments which included several extended stays at CHOP.
During the final days of Hammond’s fight, the social media community rallied behind him. Using the hashtags “DansOurMan” and “GodsGotThis” people tweeted and posted on Instagram encouraging pictures to help Hammond and his family through the hard time.
Batman himself even showed his support.
Actor Christian Bale sent in a picture of himself with the words "Dan's Our Man" written across his face to the “Dan’s Our Man” Facebook group.
Since Dan's February 20th passing, posts continue to come through with memories of Dan and condolences for his family.
Danny was active in Alex’s Lemonade Stand after becoming friends with the founder, Alex Scott while they were both being treated at CHOP. Danny was also involved in Penn State’s THON for Pediatric Cancer.
His funeral will be held tomorrow at Holy Cross Church in Springfield at 12 noon.
