HOLLYWOOD, Calif. — David Cook’s older brother, Adam, died Saturday after a long bout with cancer. He was 37.
The “American Idol” winner revealed his brother’s death while serving as the grand marshall Sunday at the 12th annual Race for Hope 5K in Washington, D.C.
“I actually lost my brother yesterday to a brain tumor and I couldn’t imagine being anywhere else right now,” Cook told the crowd, according to People, which first reported the death.
“I lost one today,” he added, “but I gained 9,000 [friends] and I will be here every year that they will have me.”
Adam Cook had battled cancer for more than a decade and his illness was well publicized while his brother competed on “Idol’s” seventh season last year. Earlier this year, he decided to stop his chemotherapy treatments after his illness failed to improve.
“He was so sick and so worn out he just made that decision,” Julie Henricks, a friend of the Cook family told The Associated Press. “That was his choice. It was because he was just so tired.”
Adam Cook worked as an attorney in Terre Haute, Ind. He is survived by his wife, Kendra, and their two children.
