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Son hopes to honor his mother with record-breaking rocket launch

Posted at 3:03 PM, Oct 23, 2014
and last updated 2014-10-23 18:46:49-04

CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. -- Dylan Whitesel and Sanzio Angeli are two Chesterfield teens making a name for themselves. The life-long friends want to break a world record by launching more than 3,130 rockets at the same time. But time is running out before Sunday’s launch. They need help. That is why fellow students at Clover Hill High School and Manchester High School are answering the call.

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Since January, the pair has been setting their sights on launching thousands of model rockets into the sky all while raising awareness about cancer. Each rocket is sponsored and will carry the name of someone either battling cancer or who has lost their fight against cancer. [Click here for more information about Rocket4TheCure.]

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Cancer is a disease that strikes close to home. Dylan’s mother, Diane, has been battling cancer for six years.

"It has been the best year of my life. It is not a year I was supposed to have. So, it’s been a great year," Dianne Whitesel said. "That was my biggest concern. That I would die before he finished high school."

Dozens of students have heard about their effort and have pitched in by building 4,000 rockets.

It has proved to be a science experiment wrapped around a social movement for all involved.

"No matter where you come from or who you are. You can always give back to the community. You can always help in some other way," Dylan Whitesal said.

Click here to nominate a hero.

Greg McQuade and CBS 6 News are featuring local heroes in a weekly “Heroes Among Us” segment. Watch Greg’s reports Thursdays on CBS News at 6 or here on WTVR.com. If you would like to nominate someone to be featured on “Heroes Among Us,” click here to email heroes@wtvr.com.