Elijah Aschbrenner, the 10-year-old cancer patient who stole the hearts of many NASCAR drivers, their families and fans, passed away Tuesday night.
His mother, Becky Hanson Hughes, posted the news on the Prayers for Elijah Facebook page.
Diagnosed with a rare childhood cancer, Epithelioid Sarcoma, in May 2014, Elijah's condition had turned for the worse in October. He was the heart of a movement, a social media campaign with the hashtag #prayersforElijah that not only sent prayers and love to Elijah, his younger brother Sam and mother, but also raised awareness about pediatric cancer.
A highlight of recent weeks for Elijah was a visit from Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton on Halloween. Elijah counted many racing stars among his friends and owned the spotlight at May's "Catwalk for a Cause" pediatric cancer research fundraiser organized by Sherry Pollex and Martin Truex Jr.
Elijah walked the runway at the Martin Truex Jr. Foundation event with Dale Earnhardt Jr., who posted condolences and memories on Twitter along with fiancée Amy Reimann.
Several drivers and family members also sent messages.