J.D. Long-García/CATHOLIC SUN

Ethan Mills, who lost his battle with cancer June 9, is seen here at a September 29 benefit concert at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Tempe.

Our Lady of Mount Carmel graduate loses second battle with cancer

A little more than two weeks after his big “phat” going away party, Ethan Mills, a cancer stricken teen, passed away.

The 19-year-old, self-proclaimed “tumor-nator” and an Our Lady of Mount Carmel graduate, died early this morning.

He wrote on his Facebook page weeks prior, “Death is not a bad thing and I am not scared of it. I have faith that God has a plan and a reason for this.”

Hundreds of people saw Mills’ faith throughout his life and especially toward the end. He endured months of chemotherapy when his childhood cancer returned last year and put a pilgrimage to Lourdes on his short list of things to do before his death.

At his going away party May 22, three days after his 19th birthday, Mills told everyone gathered at Our Lady of Mount Carmel playground how much he loved them and praised his mom and dad.

“Ethan is a living example of what we should strive for,” Marj Abele, a family friend and nurse at Phoenix Children’s Hospital told some 600 people at the going-away party. “Ethan, you epitomize courage.”

Efren Bojorquez, a Mesa resident who signed Mills’ online guest book, agreed.

“You are an inspiration and yet I only knew you from a few paragraphs,” the comment read. “You are the truck that God puts in front of us to remind us of how precious life is. Love ya.”

People throughout the Valley sent praises Mills’ way right up until his death and beyond. Mary Larsen in Phoenix wrote on his Facebook page Sunday after witnessing a confirmation at her church.

“I also thought of you and the impact you’ve had on so many of us — here in your local town…and around the world! Love ya, Ethan! Keep on keeping on….” Larsen wrote.

About 1,100 people showed their love for Mills and Julia Hillebrand, an 11-year-old St. Timothy student with an inoperable brain tumor, during a benefit concert last fall at Our Lady of Mount Carmel. The event raised more than $30,000 to help both families pay for mounting medical bills.

While mourners abound and continue to offer prayer for the Mills family online, many also find comfort in the legacy of genuine friendship and love for life that Ethan Mills leaves behind.

“Open wide O gates of glory, receive our brother to thy rest,” Our Lady of Mount Carmel musician Ike Ndolo posted on his Facebook page hours after Mills’ death.

Joyce Coronel contributed to this story.