SOUTH POINT — The community came together on Saturday to honor the life of a local man who lost his fight with cancer.

John L. Casey Jr., a 1991 graduate of South Point High, was diagnosed in 2006 with adrenocortical carcinoma, a rare form of cancer affecting one in 7 million people.

Now, four years after his death, his family and friends are organizing in his name to help in the fight against cancer.

A cancer walk was hosted on the track at South Point Elementary, followed by a balloon launch.

The event, organized by The Cause, was coordinated by Casey’s mother and aunt, Alberta Casey and Stacy Murray-Medcalf.

In recognition of the group’s efforts, a proclamation was issued by South Point Mayor Jeff Gaskin, proclaiming John L. Casey Day in the village.

In addition to honoring Casey and raising funds for groups fighting cancer, the event also served as a way for the community to come together to support two local residents going through their own health battles.

Aiden Matney, who will be in the first grade at Burlington Elementary next year, recently underwent surgery and chemotherapy after being diagnosed with Wilms’ Tumor.

Mary Matney, his mother, said the family was there to honor Casey and to get support during Aiden’s journey.

“It means so much, everyone coming together for us,” she said.

Beverly Osborne has taught at South Point Middle School and Burlington Elementary.

She is currently fighting breast cancer, which she said has metastasized to her bones. She said this is the third time the cancer has came back, and that it means a lot to receive support from the community.

“And it’s good to hear from other people going through the same thing,” she said.

Alberta Casey said the group has more events planned, including a South Point alumni basketball tournament, which will be on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. And the group will be selling T-shirts for fundraising.

For more information, contact Casey at 304-741-9979 or Murray-Medcalf, Coordinator for The Cause, Inc. at 740-646-3558.