He loves dining at Boston Market, watching football and is a studious learner in the classroom. Brian Murphy, 10, was diagnosed with leukemia last May and since then, the Broadneck Elementary School community has rallied around him and his family by sending letters and gift cards to his favorite restaurant when he can?t attend classes.

“He?s a very active fifth-grader,” said school counselor Kim Baicar. “He?s a good student and just a positive, upbeat kid.”