Michael Brooks' Community Rallies Together To Raise Money For The 12 Year Old 's Cancer Treatment

For his 12th birthday, Michael Brooks had an unusual birthday party -- attended by hundreds of people, many of whom he had never met. The celebration was held at Michael's Omaha, Neb. elementary school to raise funds to support the boy's experimental cancer treatment.

Since a rare form of cancer was discovered in the boy's arm in 2008, he has been fighting a battle against his disease. When chemotherapy proved unsuccessful, Michael's family opted to place him in a clinical trial in Minnesota. The only problem? Michael's insurance company won't cover it.

The treatment has shown positive results so far, shrinking the tumor by 30 percent. Luckily for Michael, his family, friends, classmates, neighbors -- even strangers -- are behind him, happy to make a donation so that Michael's family can afford his treatment.

A benefit for the sixth-grader at St. Robert Belarmine catholic school drew hundreds.

"You can't even put it into words," his mother said. "You can't just write a thank you note. It's overwhelming."

The original story about Michael Brooks on KETV Omaha did not mention under which insurance provider Michael's family was covered.