DAVIDSON, N.C. — A Davidson family is creating a nonprofit inspired by the support they received as their son battled pediatric cancer. Their little boy, Pieter, will be laid to rest Saturday.
Piet Swart and Jenn Swart said their son Pieter Swart always amazed them with his resilience at only 3 years old.
"His whole attitude, he taught us what was really important in life," Jenn Swart said.
After Pieter was diagnosed with neuroblastoma in 2012 he endured treatment after treatment, but his parents say he always shared a smile and some jokes.
"For a 4 and 5-year-old to actually have good timing in jokes, it was kind of amazing," said Piet Swart.
Pieter battled cancer for the past two years. Just as he started preschool at Davidson College Presbyterian in February, he relapsed.
The school rallied around him.
"When you're in a crisis, you don't even know what to ask for. They just took the initiative and did," Jenn Swart said.
Staff came up with Pieter's Pals.
Preschool Director Kristin Clark started gathering meals, care baskets and gas cards for Pieter's family.
"I think it grew, just from love. A community of love, and caring and strength," Clark said.
Pieter's fight ended Sept. 21.
His family now plans to turn Pieter's Pals into a nonprofit.
Last weekend the group's logo appeared on a car during the NASCAR race.
Pieter's parents want to focus on family support services and research, so eventually no one has to go through what Pieter did.
"We want Pieter to be pals with other kids that are suffering from pediatric cancer. We want those kids to know there is a support group out there," Piet Swart said.
A service to celebrate Pieter's life will be held at Davidson College Presbyterian Church at 2:22 p.m. Saturday.
To learn more about the effort for Pieter's Pals to become a nonprofit, click here to visit the Facbeook page.
WSOC
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