Gov. Jodi Rell declared Sunday 'C.J. Sweeny Day' as hundreds participated in a Stamford 5K race Sunday in memory of a young man with Down syndrome who had been battling leukemia.

People say the strength of 14-year-old C.J. Sweeny is what fueled them to run in his memory.

Sweeny's former teacher helped organize the race to help his family pay for mounting medical bills. The family had been attempting to raise enough money for a bone marrow transplant before the teenager passed away.

Sweeny's family says whatever money is left over after the bills are paid will be donated to several organizations that provided the young man with help during his illness.