Junior Austin Jaros-Riley passed away in the St. Louis Children’s Hospital Feb. 3 from graft-versus-host disease, multi-organ failure and sepsis, which were all a result of Fanconi anemia according to his main caregiver, grandmother Patti Carter. Fanconi anemia is a genetic disease that can cause bone marrow failure and problems in the endocrine system. Jaros-Riley was born on Feb. 28, 1996, and was 16 years old when he passed away.

He fundraised for the Fanconi Anemia Research Fund and attended Camp Sunshine in Casco, Maine, for 11 consecutive years, befriending other children from all over the world with life-threatening conditions.

Jaros-Riley also played the piano, and according to Carter, could learn a song by ear in 15 minutes. According to Carter, he was also very competitive as a child and played on a baseball team. He also got to play golf with Mike Matheny and Albert Pujols. His favorite team was the Cardinals.

“Even though his years were short, he did a lot of living,” Carter said.

A visitation was held Feb. 7 and 8 at Baue Funeral Home on West Clay, and the funeral was held on Feb. 9. A hat day will be held on Feb. 28, Austin’s birthday, to collect money for Fanconi anemia research.