HOUSTON, TX. (THECOUNT) — The mother of Laredoan Jalen Garcia, the Texas teen whose inspirational cancer battle touched the entire state and beyond, died in the hospital Thursday morning, according to his mother.

Garcia was 17 when he tragically passed at the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, according to Thursday morning reports.

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Garcia’s mother Diaz announced the news on Facebook saying, “With the heaviest of hearts, my Jalen gained his angel wings this morning at 4:30 a.m,” reports ImtOnline.

Garcia displayed unparalleled resiliency and determination throughout his battle with metastatic osteosarcoma which began more than three years ago when he was in the seventh grade. His selflessness, resolve and positive attitude in the face of overwhelming adversity touched and inspired countless lives.

Garcia’s impact has spread across Laredo and beyond. The stories of his visits from his teammates and from Correa and Rodriguez were both covered by national outlets. Diez’s hometown football team sent a video to Garcia last Friday dedicating game to him and naming him an honorary Wildcat. The United South football booster club’s $500 donation to UISD athletic director Bobby Cruz’s Real Men Wear Pink campaign was inspired by Garcia.

Geo quick facts: Houston is a large metropolis in Texas, extending to Galveston Bay. It’s closely linked with the Space Center Houston, the coastal visitor center at NASA’s astronaut training and flight control complex. The city’s relatively compact Downtown includes the Theater District, home to the renowned Houston Grand Opera, and the Historic District, with 19th-century architecture and upscale restaurants – wikipedia.