Heaven Gains 'An Angel Warrior': Gavin Rupp, 13, Dies After Battle with Brain Cancer

An Ashburn boy who for years captured the hearts and prayers of those following his battle with inoperable brain cancer has died, according to friends of the boy and his family.

Gavin Rupp, 13, was first diagnosed with brain cancer in the fifth grade; the rising eighth-grader at Eagle Ridge died early this week, according to friends of the family.

"Heaven just gained an angel warrior today. My thoughts and prayers go to the Rupp family. He will forever be with you and his friends, watching, laughing, loving, guiding," one woman wrote on a Facebook page dedicated to the boy.

"Please know that he touched the hearts of families he has never met and he will not be forgotten," another wrote.

Earlier this month, Gavin tossed the first pitch to Bryce Harper, his favorite player, to start a Washington Nationals home baseball game.

• Watch: Bryce Harper Catches First Pitch from Gavin Rupp

Gavin faced a daunting challenge earlier this year after a tumor appeared for a third time. Gavin’s father, Chris, recently told MLB.com that his son had about a 10 percent chance to survive.

"The surgery is risky at this point," Chris Rupp told MLB.com. "... you can't really do much."

The Make a Wish foundation also sent Gavin Rupp to Super Bowl XLVII in New Orleans this year.

Gavin and his family enjoyed a weekend full of activities, including a private stadium tour, a visit to the NFL Experience Driven by GMC and local site-seeing before they watched the San Francisco 49ers and the Baltimore Ravens face off.

The Ashburn community — for years and the past few months — has kept that kind of momentum going.

In June, Athletic Revolution of Ashburn hosted an open gym fundraiser for Gavin.

In mid-July, the Broadlands community hosted the 5th Annual Broadlands Kids Triathlon to benefit the Rupp family.

A group called Miles2Run is also raising money and awareness on behalf of the Rupp family.

And friends wrote on Facebook they were sure events and good deeds in the name of Gavin's sweet spirit would continue.

"Gavin's short life impacted so many. He laid down his life so that others may/will live. What he brought to pediatric cancer awareness will save other kids someday, some way, somehow," one wrote. " ... Praying mightily for comfort and peace for the Rupp family.

Memorial and burial information are not immediately available. Ashburn Patch will update this story as more information becomes available.