9-year-old raises money for mom battling colon cancer

Zach Lopes and his mother, Christine, pose for a photo with the check Zach presented to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. (Photo courtesy Dana-Farber Cancer Institute)

A 9-year-old Boston boy has raised money for cancer research in honor of his mother, who has been battling colon cancer for more than a year.

WCVB.com reported that Christine Lopes is being treated at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, and her son Zach Lopes began placing collection jars at his Cedar Elementary School in Hanover, Massachusetts, to raise research dollars. The fundraiser then spread to other local schools.

“He put this together in two weeks,” Christine told the news station. “I am proud and awe-inspired, humble at the same time that a 9-year-old could do so much.”

So far, Zach has raised $1,698 for cancer research. WCVB reported that he presented a check to Dana Farber on Monday afternoon.

Josh Lopes, Zach’s father, said the young boy kept his fundraiser a secret from his parents.

“We thought it was a homework project,” Josh told the news station. “He would ask some questions and head to his room and work on his management plan.”