Local News

Boston honors Framingham 6-year-old who died of brain cancer on ‘Devin Suau Day’

Devin Suau wears a chief's hat after he was sworn in as the honorary chief of the Framingham Police Department on March 7.

By Erica Yee

October 27, 2017

2 minutes to read

The City of Boston is honoring the Framingham boy who died of pediatric brain cancer last week on what would have been his seventh birthday on Friday.

Mayor Marty Walsh declared October 27, 2017, as “Devin Suau Day,” saying in a statement, “On Devin’s birthday, I join his family in honoring a kind, strong, brave little boy who left us far too soon. As a survivor of childhood cancer myself, my heart is with Devin’s family as they continue to fight for all children diagnosed with DIPG, and work towards a cure.”

I’m honored to proclaim tmrw Devin Suau Day. We have all been inspired by Devin & will never forget his kindness & strength. #WhyNotDevin pic.twitter.com/Z12r9Rulq3

— Mayor Marty Walsh (@marty_walsh) October 26, 2017

After Devin’s diagnosis of Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG) earlier this year, his family started the #WhyNotDevin campaign to spread awareness of the aggressive cancer. The campaign and GoFundMe quickly went viral, drawing the attention of public figures and endearing the 6-year-old to the local community.

When Walsh and Boston Police Commissioner William Evans attended Devin’s funeral service on Tuesday, they saw many attendees wore green to pay their respects, Boston police wrote in a Facebook post Friday morning.

Family members carry the casket of six year old Devin Suau, who touched countless lives during his battle with brain cancer.

“Upon learning that Devin’s favorite color was green in keeping with his love of his favorite superhero – the Green Lantern, the Mayor and Commissioner immediately moved to have both City Hall and Boston Police Headquarters illuminated in Devin’s favorite color to both celebrate the birthday and life of a little boy who’s courage, strength and determination will live on in all of us for years and years to come,” police wrote.

https://www.facebook.com/BostonPoliceDepartment/photos/a.341505297684.154456.278872877684/10155108703297685/?type=3&theater

Please join me tomorrow in wearing green to raise awareness for Devin Suau Day, and Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG). #WhyNotDevin pic.twitter.com/1r0zszfGVc

— Mayor Marty Walsh (@marty_walsh) October 27, 2017

According to a press release, the following will also be lit green this weekend: Government Center Station, South Station, TD Garden, the Zakim Bridge, Hancock Tower, the Prudential Center, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, Fenway Park, Liberty Mutual, National Grid Gas Tank, and Rowes Wharf.

#ZakimBridge #BurnsBridge #SouthStation #MBTA Government Center shine Green tonight, October 27, in remembrance of Devin Suau. #whynotdevin pic.twitter.com/dMe9BLWABq

— Charlie Baker (@MAGovArchive) October 27, 2017

In a post on Thursday, Devin’s mom, Christine Soutter Suau, wrote, “I can’t believe that I have to wake up without Devin tomorrow. We had so many birthday traditions…I can’t believe that he won’t turn 7. That we won’t have his Halloween birthday party. I am waiting to wake up from this horrific nightmare.”

She added in a statement, “In honor of Devin’s birthday today we are asking others to give the gift of kindness.”

People have also been posting pictures in the #whynotdevin Facebook group of themselves wearing green on Friday in Devin’s memory.

Devin’s family will visit Boston Children’s Hospital, where Devin was a patient, for reverse trick-or-treating on Friday, according to Boston 25 News.

After scoring the last goal of the season on Sunday, New England Revolution’s Kelyn Rowe called the game winner the “most emotional goal” of his career. All the New England players wore black armbands during the game in Devin’s memory. The team had officially signed Devin as the newest member a few weeks ago, and his custom No. 7 jersey was on the bench when Rowe scored.