Brave boy gives a 'thumbs up' to cancer treatment

By AJ Willingham

updated 1:43 PM EDT, Fri September 21, 2012

NEED TO KNOW

A young man fighting a rare form of cancer wants to share his positive attitude with the world
Show your support by sending in photos, friending him on Facebook

Lane Goodwin has Stage IV alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma

"If you smile through your fear and sorrow
Smile and maybe tomorrow
You'll see the sun come shining through for you"

-Nat King Cole, "Smile"

A young man in Kentucky is battling back a rare form of cancer with a big smile on his face. Friends say that even though 13-year-old Lane Goodwin has endured years of exhausting, painful, and sometimes disappointing cancer treatments, he still remains positive, flashing his trademark "thumbs up" when someone asks how he's doing.

In 2010, Lane was diagnosed with Stage IV alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma. This year, Lane and his family learned the cancer had relapsed, and has spread to his brain.

It was a heartbreaking realization, but for Lane, his positive attitude has morphed into something much bigger: He now has thousands of supporters on Facebook, and people all over the country are sharing pictures of themselves giving a "thumbs up" to cheer Lane on during this difficult time.

Want to show your support for this brave boy? Lane's family is looking to get as many likes as possible on the "Prayers for Lane Goodwin" Facebook page (is it a coincidence that a "like" on Facebook is a little thumbs up?). HLN is also collecting pictures of people's own "thumbs up" tributes to share. Submit yours on our Facebook page, www.facebook/HLN.

And if you're not afraid of shedding a tear or two, watch this Youtube tribute video:

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