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Bench Dedicated to ‘Captain America' Fan Who Died Battling Cancer

Ryan Wilcox inspired a hashtag and his classmates as well as the stars of the Avengers

A memorial has been dedicated to a Grossmont High School student who inspired his community while battling cancer.

Ryan Wilcox, who battled cancer throughout his time at Grossmont HS, has been honored with a memorial bench. 

His parents said their hearts were "truly touched and filled with overwhelming gratitude knowing how much our son is loved and remembered. This means everything to us." 

Ryan-Wilcox-Bench
Team Ryan
This image was taken on Feb. 28 during the official dedication of Ryan Wilcox's memorial bench at Grossmont High School.

Wilcox, whose birthday was Saturday, made headlines when his classmates posted a plea on Facebook to get the attention of his favorite superheroes from the "Captain America" films. 

Ryan received a surprise visit from Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr. and Gwyneth Paltrow, who portray, in order, Captain America, Iron Man and Pepper Potts. 

The high school's student body rallied in honor of her Wilcox in May 2016.

During that rally, students dressed up in Captain America garb and held a banner that read: "#RyanStrong".

"Being in that gym that day, surrounding by all of that love, it was powerful," said Amy Wilcox.

She said she hopes when someone sits on the bench they are inspired by her son's story.

Wilcox died on Sept. 3, 2016, at the age of 18.

His family asks anyone who wants to honor Ryan and his spirit, donate to the RyanStrong Scholarship fund

A San Diego teenager who is battling cancer welcomed Captain America, Iron Man and Pepper Potts into his home, just two weeks after his classmates stood behind him in support. NBC 7’s Greg Bledsoe reports.

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