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After two year battle with cancer Baker County teen dies

A former Baker County High School baseball player died this week after brain surgery and multiple rounds of chemotherapy and bone marrow transplants.

Colby Hodges,19, battled cancer for more than two years. His mother, Michelle Hodges, said watching the progression of her son's illness was very difficult.

She said she wants people to remember her son's positive outlook on life.

"We spent the last week with him, just precious time," she said. "Every day Colby would, he would wake up and face a new day."

Action News Jax interviewed the teen twice in 2016. He said his love of the game motivated him to get better -- and that his goal was to get back on the baseball field.

Colby began playing baseball when he was 4 years old. He wanted to go attend the University of Florida.

For the past few months, Colby was helping coach youth baseball. His mother said she was so proud of her son, who loved to help children.

“There’s so many things I could say about him," she said. "I had 19 wonderful, wonderful years with him.”

The Wildcat Warrior Foundation was created in Colby’s memory. It aims to raise money for local children with illnesses and their families.

To find out how you can help, visit the foundation's website.