Former LSU student Joseph Delaune passed away this morning from Ewing Sarcoma. It is a cancer that is found in the bones or soft tissue; Delaune’s was located in his pelvic area. 
Last night, Delaune married his high school sweetheart, Brooke Hotard at his house in Baton Rouge. This is the sixth year of their relationship.
Hotard told the Odyssey, “I wish I could say that we haven’t been fazed by this whole situation, but the honest truth is that we’re human and situations like this are very hard to handle, but despite the occasional crying session or bad day, we as individuals and as a couple are stronger than ever.”
At 21 years old, Delaune left LSU in the middle of his junior year to start chemotherapy treatment at the MD Cancer Center in Houston. According to the Odyssesy, Hotard visited him every weekend in Texas.
During his treatment, Delaune also received support from his Phi Delta Theta Fraternity brothers. Hotard and Delaune’s fraternity brothers created a GoFundMe page, that raised over $9,000 for medical expenses.  
According to the Odyssesy, Delaune said “I’ve never been so proud to call myself a part of any organization, ever. The brotherhood I’ve felt since my diagnosis is really staggering, and I’m constantly being reminded of it. At least a couple of times a day, somebody in my chapter sends me an uplifting message or a reminder that they’re thinking of me.”   
A church service will take place at St. Aloysius tonight at 5:30 to honor the sick and pray for people who passed away in Baton Rouge. 

Gallery • 8 Photos

Jacquelyn Masse