LEXINGTON, N.C. — A Triad family is mourning the loss of of their only child.
For six months Gina and Todd Cooper said their lives were twist turned upside down.
In February, their 17-year-old son Mason was diagnosed with a kidney cancer called renal cell carcinoma.
His family told us doctors were baffled by the diagnosis, saying the cancer is common among adults but rare in pediatrics.
"It is a struggle every day fighting cancer. It was a warzone in our house, we have been in a warzone since February," mother Gina Cooper said.
She told us her son had a drive and love for life. His mother said no prognosis could waiver his faith or stop him from wakeboarding or playing basketball.
"In his mind he was going to be on the basketball court come this Fall and playing ball again... Mason was at peace from the very beginning after the diagnosis. He knew God was going to take care of him," Cooper said.
His mother said her son lead by example, while staying humble and strong.
His father Todd said countless needles, tests, and even surgery to remove his kidney was rough. He said his son taught him the true definition of positivity.
"He adapted to look at life and things in a different perspective," he shared.
Mason played basketball at Union Grove Christian School (UGCS). His coach Gabe Wykes said he was tough on and off the court. He said Mason's diagnosis came a few weeks after his last game with the varsity team.
"Ultimately knowing that three or four days later would be his last game, he scored 19 points in the championship....his ability to be a teammate 100% of the time," Wykes said.
In just one year UGCS said his impact will last a lifetime.
"We started seeing the best in our students, they would come up with ways to honor and support Mason. In a short time, he made that big of an impact," School Administrator Kacee Cromer shared.
Mason has a girlfriend of three years named Whitney Tonn, she is heartbroken.
His family told us Mason passed with loved ones around.
UGCS said it plans to host a special service to honor Mason Monday.
Funeral arrangements and details can be found here.
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