'Never Ever Give Up' Is Relay For Life Highlight

Austin Gatus is 15, but the childhood cancer survivor turned in a performance Saturday night that was far more mature than his years.

Performing a song inspired by Jessica Joy Rees, Gatus brought a few hundred people to their feet preceding the candlelight Luminaria service during the Relay For Life at Central Park.

Rees, a Rancho Santa Margarita resident who created the JoyJars concept and made NEGU—Never Ever Give Up—a relevant acronym, . She was 11.

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Gatus isn't much older, but the San Diego sophomore made a lot of fans with is acoustic performance under the stars, the word "HOPE" spelled out on the hilltop before him. Gatus had leukemia, but has been without symptoms for three years.

Relay For Life is a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society.

After Gatus sang, participants—who have raised more than $25,000 in the RSM fight against cancer—took a silent lap around Central Park while holding candles before returning to the amphitheater.

During the walk, Rocko Beall played the music to the Eric Clapton song "Tears in Heaven" on the acoustic guitar owned by his grandfather, who was a cancer victim.

Watch the video to see the Gatus performance of Never Ever Give Up.