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Family Of Boy Fatally Struck By Cab On UWS Finds Hope In Helping Others

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The family of a little boy who was fatally struck by a cab on the Upper West Side in January has found a way to heal and help others.

As CBS 2's Cindy Hsu reported, Cooper Stock loved basketball, especially the Knicks, and adored watching games with his father.

In January, at just 9 years old, Cooper was killed by a cab that turned into the cross walk where he and his father were walking hand in hand.

Cooper's mother told Hsu she's now trying to focus on things that made the little boy smile.

"One of the things he said shortly before he died, he said 'mommy I want to play basketball everyday. I want you to cancel every other plan that I have, I only want to play basketball,'" said Cooper's mother, Dana Lerner.

Now, Cooper's passion for the game is helping his family help others.

Family friends Jackie Kern and Julie Dermer are planning a fundraising event in May at the indoor cycling gym SoulCycle.

"We came up with Coop's Hoops and decided to raise money to allow kids who otherwise could not afford to go to basketball camp the opportunity to go to basketball camp," Kern explained.

Within days of starting Coop's Hoops they raised thousands of dollars, hoping to send 30 kids to camp.

"We're still somewhat in shock, to be honest with you. It's that fresh, but, we're just trying to recover and find something positive we can do," Dermer said.

Friends and family are also fighting for Cooper's Law, which would suspend the license of cab drivers involved in crashes that injure or kill others, Hsu reported.

The investigation into the crash that killed Cooper is ongoing. The cab driver has not been charged.

Meanwhile, Cooper's parents are hoping others will join them in the fight for Cooper's Law.

Their message to parents is to be hyper-vigilant while crossing the street with their children, even if you're in the cross walk and you have the light.

"I would want him to know that his life has already changed so many other people's lives for the better," Lerner said.

Cooper's family said their fundraiser in May is just the beginning and that they will continue to raise money to send kids to camp and fight to keep pedestrians safe.

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