When used properly, social media can be a wonderful tool for spreading news quickly and affecting change as was evidenced over the past few days with the story about a courageous Rochester High School senior named Gage Garmo who was battling bone cancer.

Rochester Hills Mayor Bryan K. Barnett (far left) joined
Gage Garmo’s friends on Sunday to paint the town yellow, Gage’s favorite color. Photo from Facebook
Rochester Media first heard about Gage’s story on Facebook. How he was told his time was short and how his friends and the community were rallying to support him like the former football player had always done for them. As of Monday, close to $30,000 had been raised to help cover medical expenses through GoFundMe and a fundraiser held at Buffalo Wild Wings in Rochester Hills. But perhaps the brightest moment was when Gage got his final wish: to meet rapper Eminem. Thanks to the Rainbow Connection, Gage was able to meet Eminem on Sunday and according to one report, Gage’s smile couldn’t have been bigger. On Monday, January 12, Gage passed away, but the legacy he leaves behind is one that will last to the family and friends who knew him best and to the community that had his back.
You can read more about Gage’s story on The Oakland Press here.