Cameron Boyce’s loved ones are continuing to keep his legacy alive close to three years afterhis unexpected death.
On May 18, just ten days before Cameron would’ve turned 23,The Cameron Boyce Foundation(TCBF) will be hosting its first-ever inaugural fundraising gala, PEOPLE can exclusively confirm.
The event — aptly titled Cam For A Cause: A Fundraiser for The Cameron Boyce Foundation To End Epilepsy — will be held in an effort to raise money and awareness for epilepsy and SUDEP (Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy), which tragically caused theyoung actor’s deathin July 2019.
“We’ve made great strides with the foundation as far as getting connected and being impactful and doing grants, but we’ve never been able to do an in-person event because COVID has hammered us since the beginning,” Cameron’s father, Victor Boyce, tells PEOPLE. “We’re really excited about this opportunity to really show what we’re doing and to share our stories and help us move forward in our battle against epilepsy.”
“Cameron would’ve been 23 years old this year. Just thinking about that breaks my heart, every minute of every day,” he adds. “But,every year on his birthday, he didn’t want presents. He wanted to give back and he would always do something to help others. In that spirit, that’s why we’re doing the gala.”
Cameron Boyce.courtesy cameron boyce foundation
“We have an obligation to use Cameron’s voice,” she adds. “Even though physically he’s not here, he would want us to do that, to bring attention to those people who are isolated and stigmatized because of their epilepsy.”
In carrying on their son’s legacy, the parents, along with their dedicated TCBF board members, have launcheda special campaign each Mayto coincide with Cameron’s birthday.
However, because of the ongoing pandemic, all of their previous efforts had to be virtual — until now.
“It’s definitely something I’m sure he would be proud of. I can’t imagine that he would not rather be here with us though,” says Victor. “I think he would expect us to do this, honestly.”
Cameron Boyce with BooBoo Stewart.courtesy cameron boyce foundation
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Cameron Boyce.David Mendez/Young Hollywood/Getty Images
“It’s very difficult, but what else can we do? We can’t undo his passing,” says Victor. “Because of that, we need to move forward. We need to push the needle forward. We need to hopefully, make sure this type of thing doesn’t happen to anybody else. We think it’s possible with enough research, with enough exposure and time and dedication.”
“That’s the position that I’m in. This is a job that I never wanted, obviously. But since I’m here, we might as well make the most of it because Cameron wouldn’t have it any other way,” he adds. “It starts with Cameron, and, we need this to be bigger than Cameron because it affects so many people. It devastated our lives, but we’re not gone. We’re trying to recover, rebuild, and keep moving forward.”
Tickets for Cam For A Cause: A Fundraiser for The Cameron Boyce Foundation To End Epilepsy are on sale now. More information can be found onTCBF’s website.
source: people.com
