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Purdue University student walking in honor of Tyler Trent to Indiana University for basketball game

Posted at 11:05 AM, Feb 17, 2019
and last updated 2019-02-18 13:15:47-05

WEST LAFAYETTE — A junior at Purdue University left West Lafayette Sunday morning and started walking in honor of Tyler Trent to Indiana University – Bloomington for a basketball game.

Aaron Lai, of Troy, Michigan, says he will walk almost 100 miles to Bloomington for the Purdue vs. IU basketball game on Tuesday.

“Tyler Trent’s never-give-up attitude is my inspiration to work hard and keep fighting for the things I want to do,” Lai said in a press release.

Trent reminded Lai of his grandfather who had lung cancer.

“My Grandfather lived on his own terms despite the terminal illness and never gave up the fight,” Lai said on a GoFundMe page. “Going to the same school with Tyler and seeing his tremendous spirit and energy motivated me to plan this event.”

Lai hopes to raise at least $10,000 for the Tyler Trent’s Cancer Research Endowment, which funds cancer research at the Purdue University Center of Cancer Research.

All donations will be matched by the Walther Cancer Foundation, according to the GoFundMe page.

Lai is studying social studies education and is the philanthropy chair of Delta Chi Fraternity.

You can view the route he is walking below: