BOSTON -- A Newton widow and her sons have created a place for anyone touched by cancer.

An open space in the middle of the city has grown into a "Garden of Hope."

For brothers Matt and Jonathan Zuker it's personal. Their dad was 53 when he was diagnosed with lung cancer. He died four months later.

"It's great to see Michael M. Zuker, even though he lost his battle, it goes on for someone else," Matt Zuker said.

Matt Zuker's mother, Susan Zuker, started the Conquer Cancer Coalition after losing her husband in 2004.

Then she got her own cancer diagnosis. Now that she is in remission, the Garden of Hope is her focus.

"It's not about dying, it's not about the sadness, it's about being together sharing the experience and knowing there is hope," she said.

Anyone can buy a brick, and the money goes to cancer charities. So far, they've raised $75,000.

"We certainly can use some corporate and businesses' help. We have to maintain this garden, which means coming in every month planting new flowers," Susan Zuker said.

Bricklayers Local 3 is donating time to put the bricks in, and for the Zuckers, the work is a labor of love.

A brick at the garden costs $100, and the plaques are $1,000. You can choose which one of 17 nonprofit cancer charities part of the money will go to.