‘A true warrior in his fight.’ Tanner Scoresby dies after months of battling cancer
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AMMON — After a fight with cancer, 18-year-old Tanner Scoresby — whose story touched the lives of countless people — died Tuesday.
The Ammon teenager was diagnosed with T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma, a type of blood cancer, on Jan. 31. A post on the “Team Tanner – Tanner Strong” Facebook page from Scoresby’s aunt, Holly Rose, said Scoresby passed away after being “so brave, strong, without complaint… a true warrior in his fight.”
“Tanner completed his earthly mission surrounded by those who loved him the most,” the Facebook post reads. “He was able to express the love for his parents in only a way Tanner could. How grateful we are that Tanner could be surrounded by those closest to him, his family.”
Scoresby was diagnosed with cancer the same weekend as his 18th birthday. At the time, he was a senior and athlete at Thunder Ridge High School.
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After five months of chemotherapy, the mass on Scoresby’s heart and lungs hadn’t shrunk at all. He underwent five days of intense chemotherapy (a different treatment than what he received over the five months) and later, radiation, but the treatments were unsuccessful.
Scoresby’s cancer journey brought community members, as well as strangers from across the world, together, as they rallied around him in an effort to show their support and to quickly raise $75,000 for him to receive stem cell treatments in Arizona.
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His friends made a website where donations could be made, community members set up various fundraisers and Sept. 8 was proclaimed ‘Tanner Scoresby Day’ by Ammon Mayor Sean Coletti.
RELATED: Ammon mayor declares ‘Tanner Scoresby Day’ to take place Sept. 8
“The world seemed to get a little smaller when Tanner’s best friends put out the call of support to further Tanner’s treatment in Arizona,” the post says. “People rallied and miracles happened. The faith Tanner’s friends had to help carry their brother was something to behold. Along with these sweet boys call for support, communities, influencers, neighbors… people from all over the world rallied to support a young man who fought to live.”
Scoresby made it to Arizona and was getting treatments but the Facebook post says he was admitted into the Mayo Clinic early Monday due to a collapsed lung and high heart rate.
“Devin and Missy (Scoresby’s parents) wish to express their heartfelt gratitude for all of the love and support that has been poured out to Tanner and their family from the beginning of this journey,” the post reads. “The compassion shown, endless calls, texts, messages of support, donations, meals, prayers, and unselfish acts of service helped to sustain their family during the most unimaginable experience. Miracles and tender mercies were witnessed as Tanner bravely carried the weight of his trial.”
Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced, but the Facebook post said the details will be “posted for all to come and celebrate the beautiful life Tanner lived and the spirit Tanner left with us all.”