(CNN) -- A teenager with cancer who touched the hearts of many
in the United Kingdom with his tireless fundraising efforts died
Wednesday at age 19, his mother said via Facebook.

It is news that will sadden many supporters won over by Stephen
Sutton's mix of determination, generosity and good humor in the
face of his terminal illness.

While he lost the battle to stay alive, he achieved a remarkable
feat: Having set himself the challenge of raising some $17,000
for a teenage cancer charity, he ultimately inspired over
$5.4 million in donations.

On his website, Stephen's Story, he tells how he was first
diagnosed with cancer in 2010, at age 15.

Dying teen's bucket list to raise money
"In a weird way, I see my first cancer diagnosis as a good thing.
It was a huge kick up the backside. It gave me a lot of motivation
for life."

He created a "bucket list" on Facebook of 46 things he wanted to
do before he ran out of time.

"Some things on my bucket list include sky diving. Crowd surfing
in a rubber dinghy. Playing drums in front of a huge crowd. I
ended up doing it live at Wembley. Hug an animal bigger than me."

But, he says, as he checked off each item, something else happened.
"Since starting the bucket list, I've had people come up to me and
offer to raise funds for me. To go on holiday or tick off a new item
on my bucket list. But I've actually refused. And decided to give the
money to charity instead."

That decision led to a stupendous fundraising effort that won him
the backing of celebrities and the general public, despite doctors
telling him in November 2012 that his illness was terminal.

On the Facebook page he set up to run that effort, Stephen's Story,
he describes himself as a "teenager with incurable cancer just
trying to enjoy life as much as possible, while raising funds for
charity to help others."

And when his condition took a turn for the worse this spring, the
news made national headlines.

After rallying briefly, he was readmitted to a hospital Sunday
with breathing difficulties.

With typical fortitude, the last post he wrote said, "Fingers
crossed the issue will be resolved and that I'll be out of hospital
soon, I'll keep you all updated with how I'm getting on."

On Tuesday, a message on his Facebook page from his family said
that his breathing trouble was caused by the regrowth of tumors
blocking his airways and that he was no longer able to communicate.

A day later, his mother posted: "My heart is bursting with pride but
breaking with pain for my courageous, selfless, inspirational son who
passed away peacefully in his sleep in the early hours of this morning,
Wednesday 14th May.

"The ongoing support and outpouring of love for Stephen will help
greatly at this difficult time, in the same way as it helped Stephen
throughout his journey. We all know he will never be forgotten, his
spirit will live on, in all that he achieved and shared with so many."

The money Stephen raised went to the Teenage Cancer Trust, the
charity that helped him through each surgery and each round of
radiation and chemotherapy he underwent during nearly four years
battling the disease.
http://www.cnn.com/2014/05/14/world/europe/uk-teenage-cancer-fundraiser/


Hope you don't mind me adding this franky, I had never heard of him
so I googled it, what a wonderful, sad story.

I'm so happy it got at least one reply.
Yes what a story.
It's made me a little sad that it did only get one reply because you can bet on it that some of the people on here will one day get cancer themselves or will know someone who will.
The world is so confusing at times, we have the savages in Nigeria who kidnap children, but we have this young guy who did so much for others.
He must have been some guy to know in person.

Rest in peace Stephen. i had never heard of him until now. simply shows that people's good work live long after them. This is such a selfless and touching story. There is too much religion in this world and so little love. This is what we should all live by irrespective or what or who we believe in or pray to.

Thank you for posting this Franky! I had never heard of him either until reading this sad but unselfish story of a young man filled with compassion and giving toward others at a time when he could have been totally self-pitying. The world could use more people like him who give us a glimpse of what it means to love our neighbor as ourselves and what it means to truly be an inspiration to others. May he rest in peace and may his unselfishness never be forgotten! Thanks for sharing this incredible story Franky!!