5-year-old Mo. boy whose story touched many dies

BELTON, Mo. (AP) — A northwest Missouri boy whose desire to see the ocean before he died of a rare disease touched people around the world has died.

Tadan Foss, a 5-year-old from Belton, died last week of leukodystrophy, a disease that progressively causes loss of brain functions. A ceremony to remember his life is planned for Friday in Olathe.

His mother, Carisa Rockers, wanted her son to see the ocean before he died. The volunteer group called Elves of Christmas Present eventually organized a trip through St. Louis, the Grand Ole Opry, Washington D.C and other cities. Everything was donated.

And Tadan got to play in the ocean in Myrtle Beach, S.C., in June 2011.

The Kansas City Star reports (http://bit.ly/IHW8hH ) Tadan’s trip made headlines and brought support from around the world.

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Information from: The Kansas City Star, http://www.kcstar.com