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'Concert For Kyle' Brings Back Memories of 'KB 64'

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Sep 10, 2008 7:25 pm US/Mountain

'Concert For Kyle' Brings Back Memories of 'KB 64'

Reporting
Kathy Walsh
HIGHLANDS RANCH, Colo. (CBS4) ― This time last year the Colorado Rockies were making an amazing run for the World Series and manager Clint Hurdle was inspired by a courageous teenage boy. Now that boy's parents are doing their best to turn that inspiration into action.

Kyle Blakeman, a teenager from Highlands Ranch, gave Hurdle a lucky number and gave his grieving parents a heartfelt cause.

"I think my favorite memories are just him laughing at silly things in our house with his friends," said Joanna Blakeman, Kyle's mother.

Joanna said she thinks about her son every day. His friends called him 'KB" and he was number 64 on his football team. He was a big lineman with the big smile.

"It's been the hardest thing I've ever done," Joanna said.

Kyle died last August from a rare kidney cancer. In his final months, the 15-year-old developed a special friendship with Hurdle, who was in the midst of the magical 2007 season. Hurdle asked Kyle for luck and the teen gave him his number -- 64. He also gave the skipper perspective.

Hurdle started scribbling 64 on every lineup card. In October, the Rockies swept into the World Series with a 6-4 win.

"We're blessed to have had that," Joanna said. "Those memories and the 64 and the Rockies and everything that happened around it."

Since then the Blakeman's have turned their sadness into service. They're holding a fundraiser called a "Concert for Kyle," to remember, celebrate and educate.

"And that's not to say that I don't have bad moments, because I do all the time," Joanna said. "I made a promise to him and it keeps me going."

Joanna does it for Kyle and other kids with cancer. These days when she spots the number 64, she sees a sign that her son is watching with a big smile of approval.

This Saturday will be the second Concert for Kyle. Last year about 500 people attended and this year they hope to double the number. Admission is by donation. The money will go to the Cancer Center at Children's Hospital.

Additional Information

To find out more, go to the Concert for Kyle Web site.

(© MMIX CBS Television Stations, Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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