Let's not let the truth get in the way of raising money, right?
Fans and supporters were dismayed to learn on Wednesday that the heartbreaking love story of Manti Te'o and his cancer-stricken girlfriend was an elaborate hoax. But one Notre Dame fan says he will continue to raise funds and awareness for the disease, even though it was initially inspired by a battle that never took place. Dan Tudesco, the devoted Fighting Irish fan who started a fundraiser in honor of Te'o's girlfriend who was revealed to have never existed, said he won’t let the unnerving details of the hoax stand in the way of supporting actual cancer victims. He told The Huffington Post of his continued efforts after an explosive Deadspin.com article posted Wednesday unveiled that Lennay Kekua, the 22-year-old whom Te’o said he supported through her cancer treatment up until her death, was completely made up. “If a positive thing can come out of this sad and cautionary tale, and we can raise money [for a good cause], we felt we did something positive," Tudesco told The Huffington Post.
Manti Te'o 'Girlfriend' Cancer Fund Continues Collecting Money Despite Hoax
