How 3500 strangers helped Brandon Curtis through #skybluepink online campaign

THIS man has become an internet phenomenon after the kindness of total strangers helped him survive for more than 15 months.

One of the many #skybluepink photos flooding the web. "No filter #skybluepink". Photo: Mandy Woodford. Source: Instagram

IN April 2012, Brian Curtis, 63 was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer and given six months to live - "plus or minus three months".

His family were devastated. Eight months earlier they had lost Jana, a daughter and sister, to an unexpected heart virus. They never got the chance to say goodbye.

"So when we found out about my dad's terminal cancer, we were going to do anything it took to show him how much we loved him and to say goodbye," Brian's son Brandon, told Mashable.

And so Brandon and his family launched #SkyBluePink - an online campaign to bring happiness and hope to their much loved father.

"Sky blue pink" was Brian's favourite colour - the gorgeous shade seen in the sky during dawn and dusk.

"We ask you to help fill his life with love, support and #SkyBluePink" by sending a card, tweeting a note on Twitter or sharing a photo on Instagram," read the project's announcement.

"If I couldn't always be there, I needed a way for him to feel loved," Brandon says.

Within a week they had 500 submissions. The photos, paintings, messages and cards covered an entire wall in his hospice care centre.

Brian Curtis in his hospital room, surrounded by #skybluepink photos and messages of support. Source: #skybluepink Tumblr page

Brandon recalls his father's joy.

"It's making my dad cry with pride and disbelief," he said. "This is incredible."

By Christmas of 2012, the campaign had received 2700 submissions.

The #skybluepink story even inspired Nebraska band Good Show Great Show to write a song dedicated to Brian.

"Love is medicine - I like this more than all these pills," Brandon remembers his father saying.

"It's just amazing. I can't get over how so many people have taken time out of their days to capture and send SkyBluePink to me. From all over. All ages ... People I've never met."

One of the many #skybluepink photos flooding the web. "No filter #skybluepink". Photo: Mandy Woodford. Source: Instagram

The day before Brian passed away, he had received more than 3,500 #SkyBluePink cards, paintings, photos and even elementary school art projects from 105 countries around the world.

He passed away on August 13 this year, with his family by his side.

Brandon says the success of #SkyBluePink is a striking reminder that people still care, and technology and social media have the potential to bring the world together - one tweet, like and comment at a time.

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