Mountain Brook is a sea of purple and gold as community rallies in support of 15 year old fighting cancer

Mountain Brook is a sea of purple and gold as community rallies in support of 15 year old fighting cancer.

Ribbons and balloons are being put up outside Crestline homes and stores to show support for Sid Ortis, a Mountain Brook teen fighting cancer. Smith's Variety store workers have been swamped since Thursday filling orders for purple and gold ribbons from Mountain Brook residents wanting to support Ortis, said owner Mary Anne Glazner.

Sarah Franklin Johnson, the owner of Sugar Inc. in Crestline, which sells balloons, candy and shaved ice, started the campaign to rally the community behind Sid a few days ago after asking his parents' permission. On Friday morning, she sold her last purple and gold balloon, and has put in orders for more to meet demand.

"We've been getting requests for the balloons all day," Franklin Johnson said. "It's been amazing how the community has rallied in support of Sid."

Glazner, during an interview today while helping her staff make purple and gold ribbons for customers, said she is not surprised to see Mountain Brook residents unite to support Sid and his family.

"It's so wonderful to see everybody get behind Sid," she said.

Mountain Brook residents accustomed to putting up red and white ribbons and balloons in allegiance to the Alabama Crimson Tide or orange and blue in support of the Auburn Tigers are setting those aside in honor of the purple and gold of LSU, Sid's favorite team.

Many Mountain Brook residents are well aware of Sid Ortis' battle with bone cancer through Facebook posts by his father, Scott Ortis. On Nov. 14, 2014, Scott Ortis wrote and posted an update on how Sid, who had just finished chemo-therapy, faced knee replacement surgery and lung surgery.

Scott Ortis' Facebook page today had images showing of how support for Sid's cancer fight has spread beyond Mountain Brook. A man named Jason Parkman posted a photo of purple and gold balloons placed in front of the Taziki's restaurant in Auburn with the caption, "My Tazikis team and I are praying for Sid."

Another poster responded, "Love It: LSU colors in Auburn because SID Rocks!!"