Friends and family remember Morgan Kottman

By the age of 15 years old Morgan Kottman touched the lives of many. That was evident by those who showed up to celebrate her birthday Sunday afternoon.

"Today is ... would have been Morgan's 19th birthday so we thought it was a good day to have a party for her,” Morgan’s mother, Christine Kottman, said.

Morgan passed away in 2014 from a DIPG brain tour. Family, friends, and Morgan’s classmates remembered her during the third annual Morgan Kottman Birthday Walk.

"This morning it was raining. I figured that was Morgan talking, but she made sure it turned out nice for us,” Christine said.

People walked around the Seaman High School track, played games, and comforted one another.

The family also teamed up with The Cure Starts Now Foundation to raise money for cancer research. They hoped to surpass last year’s $6,000 total. The goal this year is $8,000.

"Four percent of all cancer research money is given to childhood cancers, so DIPG gets very little of that. This money we raised today will just be for DIPG,” Christine explained.

Christine also said she hopes everyone lives by her daughter’s positive words.

"She said that we should always try and live life to the fullest and it each day you have because you're never guaranteed another one,” she said.

She said she also wants to continue to raise money for research.