INDIAN TRAIL, N.C. -- A Union County teenager, who has become an inspiration to many, passed away late Tuesday night. His family took him to the hospital earlier Tuesday to spend his final hours without pain. His family was by his side.

It was about a year ago that Eyewitness News first covered 16-year-old Brandon Elam and his fight with cancer. Since then thousands of people in his school and community have rallied to support him.

Elam developed a special friendship with reporter Jim Bradley, who sat down with him just a few days ago for a powerful conversation about his life and death. The following is the result:

In a room filled with mementos of his beloved Carolina Panthers, Jim Bradley sat with Brandon Elam, who had lost nearly everything, except his optimism.

“How are you feeling these days? “ Bradley asked.

“Pretty good,” Brandon answered.

But Brandon's words belied the truth. He was racked with pain from cancer and tumors throughout his body -- so many that a few weeks ago he and his family and doctors made the difficult decision to stop all medical treatments.

In only days he was using a walker and accepting that the end was near.

“I kind of figured it was going that way, and I mean, yeah, I'm sad and stuff, but I'm happy too because I know all the pain's going to go away, and stuff,” Brandon said.

The pain has been eased some by morphine, but maybe more by the love he's inspired in a community of friends that has grown as his body has withered.

Just 10 days ago he was flown by helicopter to the Porter Ridge High School football game, where he was cheered by players and fans. Then, two nights ago, hundreds of people stood in Brandon's front yard, holding candles outside his window -- every flickering light a memory to cherish.

“I want to thank all of the people who love me. It's just amazing to know all those people out there who just think of you and pray for you --iIt's awesome. It's great that so many people out there love me like that. It's fantastic,” Brandon said.

That love has given Brandon and his mom, dad and younger sister comfort, they say. And their faith has provided Brandon a soft place to lay his head, his heart and his future.

“I'm not glad about leaving, you know. I want to stay here and be a normal teenager if I could. But I'm going to have a better life and just feel better and not be any more sick,” he said.

“I'm just ready for all the pain to be gone, and I'm not scared of dying, but you know, I just don’t want to leave here and my parents and my sister and family. But I know we'll be together one more time.”

In 16 short years Brandon captured a lifetime of memories, waged a courageous battle against cancer and won a community of friends. He leaves it all, he told Bradley, at peace.

“I think I've had a good life. Great parents, great sister, great family,” Brandon said.

“And you're a great kid,” Bradley said.

“Thank you,” Brandon said with a smile.

“I've interviewed a lot of people in my 24 years here at channel nine, but none have touched me more than Brandon,” Bradley said. “I'll remember Brandon the way I left him a few days ago – smiling and anxious for his pain to go away.”

Click here to find out more about Brandon’s story.

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