Boise teen with rare cancer passes away: 'Heaven gained the most beautiful angel'

BOISE, Idaho (CBS 2) — A local teenager who battled a rare cancer and inspired thousands of people throughout the country (and even across the globe) has passed away.

According to the JorgeStrong Foundation, Jorge Ibanez, passed away at 4:33 a.m. on Monday.

"Heaven gained the most beautiful angel, as Jorge was called home to be with God," his family said on Facebook.

CBS 2 had followed Ibanez's story since 2017 when he invited the community to send him birthday cards. He ended up receiving about 5,000 cards from multiple countries across the world.

In June 2017, Jorge was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma, a cancer that starts in the cells that form bones. Since then, he had undergone several chemotherapy treatments and surgeries.

"Our family is crushed, we will never see Jorge’s beautiful smile, enjoy his jokes, or be called to his room to listen music on this Earth again. There is a big hole missing in my heart that will never be replaced. Nothing will never be the same.

We can only hope that Jorge is always watching us from above, smiling down, knowing that we will all be together again one day. And knowing that we love him and we miss him dearly.