Walk Honors 7-Year-Old Boy Who Died Of Cancer

HARFORD COUNTY, Md. (WJZ) -- He was only seven when he died of cancer six years ago, but during his short life, a Harford County boy managed to touch the lives of everyone he met.

Ron Matz reports on how his family is not only keeping his memory alive but helping others at the same time.

Dominic Osorio died of a brain tumor in 2009. His loving family remembers him as the little boy with the big smile.

"Shortly after Dominic's fifth birthday, he was diagnosed with a pediatric brain tumor. He fought that battle for about two years. He had radiation and chemotherapy but unfortunately the tumor was relentless. He was seven when he earned his angel wings in 2009," said Dominic's mom, Nicole Stagnoli. "He had a superhero spirit. He fought it; he enjoyed life. He just believed there would be a cure."

After he died, Stagnoli decided to establish the Do Believe Foundation.

"I decided to put together the `Do Believe' Foundation. It raises money and awareness for pediatric cancer, which is so underfunded," she said.

Blue Dot sponsors Sunday's Dominator Walk & Run.

"Sunday, September 13, we're doing a 5K and a 10K and a one mile fun walk. It raises money for pediatric cancer," she said.

"It's been six years now. It's a big deal to the Blue Dot family. We have a lot of employees who come out, as well as the community," said Jeff Stagnoli.

And Deb Devoe raised money at her Bel Air fitness studio, Xtend Barre.

"Part of my business plan is to be part of the community and give back and what better way to do that than to give back to a wonderful organization that benefits children and to help Nicole in her grief to try to help others?" she said.

With the help of Blue Dot and others in Harford County, Do Believe has raised over $75,000 for pediatric cancer research.

"It's always been really nice to have the community come out and support my family and Dominic. It keeps his memory alive," said Dominic's aunt, Jeannine Spagna. "The community in Bel Air is such a great town, ever since the beginning when Dominic was diagnosed, they've really supported us."

"We're expecting about 250 people. It means the world to me. I'll never be able to put into words how much it means that every year, people are more interested in his story. It helps me keep his memory alive, helps me make a difference for other children," Nicole Stagnoli said.

Sunday's sixth annual Dominator Walk & Run begins at 8 a.m. at Blue Dot Services in Forest Hill. For more information, click here.