Born in New York City, he settled in Lodi eight years ago. Ian loved trains, Tom & Jerry and watching his brother Joshua play soccer.
More than $2,000 had been raised as of Tuesday evening on a GoFundMe for Ian.
Ian's battle began five year's ago on New Year's Eve when he complained of a pain in his ankle at 4 years old. He was diagnosed with cancer and through the five-year battle filled with chemotherapy, radiation, surgery and more, Ian never complained, Grace Ann Parisi said on the GoFundMe.
His radiation ended in June 2017 but a scan revealed the cancer was back with a vengeance. The following month, Ian had surgery to remove a large tumor near his lung. Since then, he fought "with every breath, never losing his wish to get better and return to school or his beautiful smile," Parisi said.
Ian is survived by his parents, Jose and Dihara (nee Cruz) Sanchez; brother Joshua; grandparents Jose Sanchez, Ondina Ricardi, Victor Cruz and Norma Cruz; and many aunts and uncles.
Visitation is Wednesday from 3 to 8 p.m. at The Church of the Narrow Door in New York, N.Y.
A funeral will be on Thursday at 9:45 a.m., at George Washington Memorial Park in Paramus.
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