After a two-year battle with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, Nash died June 22 at University of Michigan hospital, but his legacy lived on Tuesday, as the Central Michigan community banded together at Wayside Central to honor him. A total of $3,196 was raised.

The first ever Derrick Nash Strong Tailgate Party kicked off Tuesday with an appearance from Head Football Coach John Bonamego and the Central Michigan football team, band and cheerleaders before they headed back to Kelly/Shorts Stadium to take on the 7-1 Toledo Rockets.

Monroe, who spent three months and 15 days without leaving her son’s hospital bedside, said seeing that Central Michigan hasn’t forgotten about her son is an amazing thing, which brings closure to her heart.

It’s even more special, considering Nash wasn’t even recruited to Central Michigan by Bonamego, but rather former Head Coach Dan Enos.

“It’s really amazing. (Bonamego) met Derrick a few months before he passed away and he just absolutely fell in love with (Nash) just like everybody else,” she said. “He has been so supportive ever since.”

Bonamego, who became head coach Feb. 8, referenced the large crowd that gathered around a drop-down screen, which played a slideshow of Nash’s life and said the huge amount of support is testament to the person Nash was.

“It shows the type of impact he made when he was here,” Bonamego said. “We’re here to support (Nash’s family) and he’ll forever be remembered in our football program and he’s just a really special person.”

Monroe said her family has come a long way since her son passed away, but dealing with it depends on the minute, hour or day. Every day is different.

“Derrick was just incredible. He was a really great person and he shared his heart with every single person,” Monroe said. “As you can see by the support, everyone loved him and I did too.”

Derrick Nash Strong Foundation Vice President Pam Fine, whose son Alex Fine was a teammate and close friend of Nash’s, said Monroe started the foundation in her son’s name for two reasons.

“She doesn’t want anyone ever to forget her son,” Fine said. “Secondly, when she was at the hospital all that time, she saw all these children getting radiation and chemotherapy all by themselves — young children. Their families had to work to pay the bills. The Derrick Nash Foundation is providing assistance for families to pay their bills back home, so they can be were they need to be with their sick child.”

Fine said the foundation hopes to pay mortgages, car payments, electric bills and other payments and the best part is the foundation has zero operating costs, so 100 percent of the donations go to the Derrick Nash Strong Foundation.

One of the items auctioned off was a Titus Davis jersey, the former Chippewa wide receiver who's now a Buffalo Bill. Davis showed up in person Tuesday to present the jersey to the winner.

Nash's aunt, Marcy Nash, and great aunt Tenna Nash, said it was awesome to see everyone so wiling to help and support as much as they can.

Marcy Nash said it is the family's faith and was Derrick's faith that keeps them moving forward.

"God is awesome," Marcy Nash said. "He's been our stronghold through this whole entire ordeal. We just love (Derrick)."