The hometown of a young Middle Tennessee burn victim has raised thousands of dollars to help in his recovery.
The gym at Spring Hill Middle School was filled with students for P.E. Wednesday, but one child was missing and has been for the past six years.
More than 300 miles away Dylan Trevino, 12, was waiting for a chance at a better life. He's on the list for a multi visceral transplant.
His story is one of heartbreak and determination and touches the lives of people he's never even met.
In 2009, two weeks before his sixth birthday, Dylan was playing in his family's backyard near a bonfire when the unthinkable happened.
Dylan was on fire, in a panic he ran into his room where the flames spread. He suffered severe burns over 70 percent of his body.
Since that day, he's lived in a hospital room. Last Fall, his family moved to Cincinnati so that Dylan could be with his doctors. They spoke to NewsChannel5 via Facetime on Wednesday.
PHOTOS: Young Fire Victim Dylan Trevino
"Once they Life Flighted him up here, we've been up here ever since. The infections have been a hard thing on him," Dylan's stepfather, Terry Kellum said.
Dylan was on the list to get a new pancreas, liver and a small intestine. "He'll be able to eat again, he'll be able to swim again. He hasn't eaten in five, six years," Kellum said.
Back in Spring Hill, friends and complete strangers have rallied to help him. "People keep saying, Dylan you're our hero…and if you could only see what he's done," head basketball coach and benefit organizer, Donnie Chambers said.
Dylan's kind heart and high spirits have left many in his hometown speechless. Taking action may be the best way to say anything.
"To give the family that check, I get goose bumps just thinking about it," said Chambers.
Spring Hill Middle School has scheduled its 6th Annual Benefit Basketball Game on Thursday at 6 p.m. All proceeds will go to Dylan and his family. The school hopes to raise more than $10,000. The school will be selling t-shirts to raise money as well, click here to see the price and what they look like.
