Central Fla. teenager who lost fight with cancer leaves legacy

CENTRAL FLORIDA — 9 Family Connection went inside the partnership between a refuge for children battling cancer and a teenager who left her mark before she lost her fight.

Many viewers were touched by Talia Castellano.

Her legacy continues in a new resource center helping other families battling the disease.

Her energy was captivating and her will to fight cancer was remarkable.

"I got the chills, fever; I was not doing good," Castellano said.

Talia Castellano lost her battle against neuroblastoma this summer, but her memory keeps the fight going for others.

"Her legacy and her name will continue through all the great work she has done," Talia's mother said.

Talia's mother got a first look at her daughter's legacy: a new home for Base Camp, a central Florida organization that helped Talia's family during their fight.

Talia raised $125,000 to renovate the space.

"This wonderful child caught us up in her greatness and took us to whole new heights," said Terry Jones, founder of Base Camp.

Now Base Camp can do more than deliver meals during treatment as they did for Talia. They can now serve as a resource center.

And just as she was surprised when her room was made over, the renovations inside the former doctor's office in Winter Park will help Base Camp go beyond what they've been doing for 30 years.

And Talia's passion for glamour will soon adorn the walls and inspire other girls to use their outer beauty to help fuel their inner strength.

To mark what would have been Talia's 14th birthday this weekend, her family is having a memorial Sunday night.

It's open to the public and already 1,000 people have confirmed.

WFTV