MasterChef Junior’s Ben Watkins passed away on Monday at 14 from canc-er at Chicago’s Lurie Children’s Hospital, his family said.
Watkins in July was d!agnosed with Angiomatoid F!brous Histiocytoma, as his relatives said that doctors told them that only five other people in the world had a rare ailment, which impacts soft tissue, TMZ reported Tuesday.
‘Our Ben home went home to be with his mother Monday afternoon after a year-and-a-half-long ba-ttle with canc-er,’ his maternal grandmother Donna Edwards and uncle Anthony Edwards said in a statement.
‘After losing both of his parents in September 2017, we have marveled at Ben’s strength, courage, and love for life.’He never, ever complained. Ben was and will be the strongest person we know.
When Ben’s rare il-lness was shared with the world, he was so heartened by the outpouring of love he received from every quarter of the globe – especially in his hometown of Gary, Indiana.’The family continued: ‘We cannot thank this community enough for holding our family up in prayer and for all that you’ve done.
‘Ben underwent more than his share of his 14 years on earth but we take solace in that undergoing is finally over and in that, in the end, Ben knew he was loved by so many.’Gordon Ramsay took to Twitter Tuesday to pay tribute to the former MasterChef Junior contestant.
‘We lost a Master of the at MasterChefJrFOX kitchen today,’ he said. ‘Ben you were an incredibly talented home cook and even stronger young man. Your young life had so many tough turns but you always persevered. Sending all the love to Ben Watkins’ family with this te-rrible loss Gx.’The teenage cook lost both of his parents Leila Edwards and Mike Watkins in a 2017 mu-rder-su!cide when his father fa-tally sh-ot his mother before taking his own life, authorities told the Chicago Tribune.
At the time of the tr-agic incident, Watkins had recently sh-ot MasterChef Junior’s sixth season.It aired the following year, and fans donated $30,000 for a fundraising campaign called #Love4Ben toward a trust fund for the talented young cook, who was just 11 when he was on the show.It aired the following year, and fans donated $30,000 for a fundraising campaign called #Love4Ben toward a trust fund for the talented young cook, who was just 11 when he was on the show.
‘Despite all of Ben’s trials and tribulations, he remains positive and looks forward to getting back in the kitchen and pursuing his dream to become an Engineer,’ a statement on the fundraising page read. ‘We want Ben to be able to continue his education in the cul!nary arts and/or Engineering wherever he wants to in the world.”On behalf of Grandma Donna and Uncle Anthony, thank you for your #Love4Ben!.’
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