Family continues legacy of son who died from brain cancer

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The family of a 25-year-old who died of brain cancer last year is continuing his legacy of helping others. 

They’re holding a big event this weekend to raise money that will go to a fund in his name. 

The event is called the Blake Strong Fest. 

It’s in honor of Blake Bowell. 

He was just 25 when he passed away last year, nearly four years after he was diagnosed with brain cancer. 

Bowell was a Franklin Central grad who was known for his running. 

After high school, he attended the United States Naval Academy. 

He was only there for a year when he developed a hernia and was medically discharged. 

A couple weeks later, after suffering four seizures in a row, Bowell was diagnosed with brain cancer. 

Throughout his four year battle, his family says he was always positive and never complained about what he was going through. 

In fact, he wanted to help others who were going through what he was going through. 

He and his dad started the Blake Strong Blake Bowell Fund. 

Blake’s family has continued to help others since he passed away. 

Money from that fund has gone to a parent battling cancer, it helped send a little boy on his make a wish. 

And this weekend, with the Blake Strong Fest, his family is hoping to raise money to continue his legacy of helping others. 

“He would have the biggest smile on his face and just eat it up. If he were here today he would be walking around talking to people and encouraging and smiling and laughing, giving them a hug and a high five,” said his mom, LeDania Carmichael.

Blake Strong Fest will be held Saturday at Garfield Park from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. 

There will be live music, food and drinks. 

The money will raised will benefit the Blake Strong Blake Bowell Fund, Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation and the Friends of Garfield Park.  

A children’s garden there will be named after Blake.