NEW LENOX, IL — The stands lining the football field at Lincoln-Way Central will be splashed in red Friday with a specific message, a heartwrenching show of support remembering one of their own.
Nearly two weeks after the death of Lincoln-Way Central senior Brennen Saele, 17, the community continues to uplift his family in ways that have left them speechless.
Saele died Sept. 19 after suffering from a rare condition that rendered him fragile internally. Like his mother Genesis, Brennen was diagnosed with vascular Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (vEDS), a rare, severe and life-threatening genetic disorder that causes blood vessels and internal organs to become fragile and prone to tearing or rupturing.
In the days since, the community has rallied around the family, with one effort featuring red, "Live Like Brennen" shirts to be worn at the Oct. 2 home football game. The organizer admitted she thought she'd sell just 100—but was stunned by what happened next.
"What started as a small idea to show love and support for the Saele family grew into something bigger than I ever could have imagined," Danielle Emmart, the school's head varsity cheerleading coach, said on social media. "We started this conversation thinking maybe we would make 100 shirts…and somehow, because of all of YOU, that turned into more than 1,700 shirts."
Genesis Saele said the support has buoyed the family amid the grief of losing an incredibly vibrant member of their family.
"I honestly don't even have the words to explain what this means to us," Saele told Patch. "It warms my heart just how this community was brought together and he had something to do with it. It's been a whirlwind of emotions, but it's getting us through."
The shirts—reading "Live Like Brennen" on one side and "#saelestrong" on the other—are a reminder of where Brennen would have loved to be, Saele said.
"Brennen would have been the first one there, front and center in the student section," she said. "I can just picture him with that huge smile on his face. I know he would be smiling ear to ear seeing everyone coming together for him."
Brennen died the night of his high school's homecoming dance. Within minutes of hearing the news, his classmates left the celebration to be near their friend and his family—a poignant reflection of how beloved Brennen was, Saele previously told Patch.
"He was just a good soul," Saele said. "He was the best. I know a mom is going to brag on their child, but there is nothing that I could say about him that was a flaw or 'wrong'—he was just a bright soul."
READ: 'Just A Good Soul': Family, Community Mourn New Lenox Teen After Death From Rare Condition
Despite the challenges his condition posed, Brennen was a happy kid, Saele said, and one who held his family and friends close.
"He was always smiling; you never saw him without a smile," she said. "This sounds so silly, but people were jealous of his teeth because they were so straight, he had the whitest teeth EVER."
The Saele home has rarely been empty in the days since Brennen's death, Genesis said, with a steady stream of Brennen's classmates and friends filing in. Beginning just days after his death, they have also tied an estimated 2,500 red ribbons on trees and lightposts in honor of their friend. The ribbons were bought by Sue Studenroth, she said.
"All of his friends until wee hours of the morning went all over Mokena and New Lenox," Saele said.
Services were held Sunday and Monday, with an estimated 2,000 attending the visitation and a line out the door more often than not. Police were on-site directing traffic.
Saele said some attendees waited an hour to pay their respects, and that a supply of 600 prayer cards was depleted within the first two hours. Visitation started at 1:15 p.m., with the last person leaving at 9:30 p.m., Saele said.
"Seeing that many people coming to pay their respects means more than I can ever put into words," Saele said. "Brennen touched more lives than we ever knew! And that's what's giving us the strength to get through this day to day.
Saele wants to be sure all those who have rallied around them know the impact they've had, including Emmart's spearheading the t-shirt sales.
"Danielle came up with the idea because, from one mom to another, she was hurting for us too and wanted to do something to show her support," Saele said.
"What started as a small idea to have shirts made to wear at the football game Friday, Oct. 2, spread so quickly and turned into something so much bigger. There was close to 2,000 shirts ordered, all made singlehandedly by Matt Paraday."
Emmart stressed that she, too, has been moved by the community's response.
"From the very beginning, my only hope was to help this family feel surrounded by love, to remind them that they are not walking through this alone, and most importantly, to help keep Brennen's spirit and memory alive," she shared on social media. "Seeing the way this community rallied around them has been one of the most meaningful things I have ever had the privilege of being a part of.
"I cannot wait for Friday night when our stadium is filled with a sea of red in honor of Brennen. I know his presence will be felt. And if seeing those stands gives his family even a moment of comfort, love, or happiness, then every single person who purchased a shirt, donated, shared the fundraiser, helped behind the scenes, or simply showed up helped make that happen. YOU all did this."
In a statement to Patch, Saeles enumerated the people and organizations that have supported her family.
"Bryles Research made such a generous donation to our family to add on top of a portion of the proceeds from every shirt sold," she said. "Ozinga bought shirts for their entire staff, plus extras in case we needed them. Bitesize Pediatric placed a large order, and Varsity football head coach, Coach Woodburn bought shirts for the entire football staff. And then there are all of our friends, family, students, teachers, coaches and so many people in our community who we don't know, bought shirts and wanted to be part of this."
Saele also thanked Hog Wild and Gatto's—both New Lenox mainstays where Brennen was employed—for providing the food for Brennen's wake and luncheon.
Other businesses have found ways to support the family, too. Orangetheory Fitness in New Lenox offering donation-based classes Friday, Oct. 2, with proceeds going to the Saele family.
Country Club Social in New Lenox is donating a portion of every reservation made through Oct. 2.
Graphic Image Corporation of Orland Park created and donated custom posters for the visitation, Saele said.
Then there were other gestures that made the family feel seen and loved.
"Alsip, New Lenox, Willowbrook, Joliet, Chicago Ridge and Palos Heights police departments escorted Brennen's funeral procession," Saele said. "A Summit police officer also made bracelets that say 'Forever 17, LLBDubs #20' to pass out. A friend's sister-in-law made stickers."
At Lincoln-Way Central, Principal Dr. Beth McNamara and the entire staff dedicated a theme each day in honor of things he loved, along with supporting the students in their grief and honoring Brennen with a moment of silence at the game.
"Those acts of kindness and support mean more to us than we can ever express," Saele said.
Saele encourages everyone to wear their Live Like Brennen shirts to the football game on Oct. 2.
"For our boy. For his smile. For his big heart," she said. "For the life he lived and the people he loved so much, let's pack the stands with a sea of red. And never forget to #LiveLikeBrennen."
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