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After 8-month fight, York County dad says final goodbye to cancer-stricken son

Kate Penn
kpenn@ydr.com

The boy's family knew it was coming, the day his heart would stop beating.

Cathy Kohler comforts her husband, Bill Kohler, after his son, 10-year-old Ayden Zeigler-Kohler, passed away in their home in Springettsbury Township on Wednesday, March 22, 2017. Ayden was diagnosed with  a rare childhood cancer in August.

They'd known since August, when he was diagnosed with a rare childhood cancer at 9 years old. Doctors said he had eight to 12 months to live.

He didn't even make it eight months.

Ayden Zeigler-Kohler died Wednesday in his Springettsbury Township home, surrounded by people who loved him. He was 10.

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Ayden Zeigler-Kohler, 10, smiles as he cuddles with three bear cubs in the Sproul State Forrest in Noyse Township in March. Ayden and his father, Bill Kohler, left, were invited to hold the cubs who were being checked on as a part of a study by the Pennsylvania Game Commission, after a Wildlife Conservation Officer read their story.

The final months of Ayden's short life were filled with adventures. His father, Bill Kohler, made sure of that.

Between doctor's appointments, chemotherapy and MRIs, they tried to fit a full life into a few months.

After they shared their story in February, people from around the world reached out, offering to help them make lasting memories.

Friends and complete strangers raised nearly $90,000 in the last month to help cover costs.

He went on hunting and fishing trips, spending hours with his family outside — one of his favorite places.

Bill Kohler bends down to talk to his son, Ayden Zeigler-Kohler, 10, in the Sproul State Forrest in Noyse Township on March 9. Ayden and his father, Bill Kohler, left, were invited to hold bear cubs who were being checked on as a part of a study by the Pennsylvania Game Commission, after a Wildlife Conservation Officer read their story. In a wish journal Ayden wrote that if he was sick and dying, he wanted to be in the woods. Ayden, who had a rare childhood cancer, died Wednesday at his home in Springettsbury Township.

Ayden, who could no longer walk, clung to his father's back on the way to visit bear cubs in the woods. They nuzzled his cheeks and curled up in his lap, a moment set up by the Pennsylvania Game Commission.

Duff Goldman from "Ace of Cakes" and Guy Fieri, a restaurant owner and  TV personality, called to talk to Ayden.

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And on Sunday, he went backstage at a WWE match to meet some of his professional wrestling heroes.

This weekend, they were supposed to see the Harlem Globetrotters, a trick basketball team.

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Ayden Zeigler-Kohler holds his brother, Arian Kohler's hand, as he gets chemotherapy at John Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore on March 16. Arian Kohler had just moved back to the area from North Carolina to be with his brother earlier that week.

Ayden's two older brothers were among the family that had gathered at his bedside Monday night. The three of them had a saying they would recite to each other. Together, they said it one last time.

"Bub, I love you to the moon and back," said Arian Kohler.

"And to the end of the world," said Ayden.

He pointed to his second brother.

"And to the end of the sun," finished Pierce Bloom.

Ayden didn't wake up again after Tuesday night. His young heart held on until Wednesday morning. When it finally stopped, his dad went to his side.

"Thank you for giving me everything you've given," he said. "Go run again, play again. I love you, son."

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