David Cook Loses Brother Adam Cook, His Idol, to Cancer

Adam Cook, brother of American Idol Season 7 winner David Cook, lost his battle with brain cancer Saturday. Adam Cook, a 37-year-old lawyer, had held off a malignant brain tumor for 11 years. Doctors said that the disease had spread to his spine, according to David Cook's website. He died at his home in Terre Haute, Indiana, his family by his side.

People magazine reported that David announced his brother's passing at the 12th Annual Race For Hope 5K charity run in Washington, D.C. "I actually lost my brother yesterday to a brain tumor, and I couldn't imagine being anywhere else right now," he told the crowd. "I lost one [friend] today, but I gained 9,000, and I will be here every year that they will have me."

David Cook was this year's grand marshal. His team raised more money than any other for the National Brain Tumor Society and Accelerate Brain Cancer Cure: $98,000 out of a total of $2 million.

Cook flew in from West Palm Beach, Florida, where he had just done a show on his Declaration Tour, for the charity run. "I don't run normally," Cook told People in an earlier interview, "but it seems a small sacrifice compared to what those who have fought cancer have endured. And the fact that my fans have rallied to raise so much in donations is the biggest compliment."

American Idol fans remember Adam Cook as the older brother David mentioned as his inspiration, encouraging him every step of the way during his rise to the winner's circle at the Season 7 finale in May 2008. Although it was revealed that Adam had cancer, David kept it low key, but the observant viewer saw his brother's initials on David's guitar every time he played.

According to MTV News, when David performed Mariah Carey's version of "Always Be My Baby" in April, residents of the Cook brothers' hometown raised more than $45,000 for Adam to take a private plane with a nurse so that he could attend one of his brother's performances.

After David Cook won American Idol Season 7, he toured with the Top 10 across the country. According to the Los Angeles Times "American Idol Tracker" blog, David dedicated his final number each show, "There Goes My Hero," a song made famous by the Foo Fighters, to Adam.

American Idol judge Paula Abdul told People magazine that Adam Cook was part of the show's "extended family." She said he "supported his brother wholeheartedly, even through his own fight. My heart goes out not only to David, but his family as well."

Simon Cowell also extended condolences to the family, telling People, "I was incredibly saddened to hear the news. I met Adam Cook a few times at 'American Idol.' He was an incredible guy, and right now my thoughts are with David and his family."

David Cook also has a younger brother, Andrew, who also auditioned for American Idol but did not make the cut to Hollywood.

David Cook's next tour stop is Monday, May 4 in Athens, Georgia, according to his website.

Adam Cook is survived by his wife and two children.

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Sources:

MTV.com

People.com

David-Cook.org

LATimes.com