Farewell Tijn, you were a hero

Peter King · Jul 7, 2017

Last year during serious request, a radio show that collected money for a good cause, he wanted to help the cause by putting nail polish on people's nail for 1 euro and that money went to Serious Request. Here is his story about that action which raised 2.5 million euros:

Terminally ill Tijn (6) went to the Glass House in Breda with one last wish - and raises over 1 million in two days - Nieuws - 3FM Serious Request

Even after the action, his story continued with him wanting to collect money for children with brain stem cancer, the illness he was suffering from. With some big donors and loads of nail polish sales yesterday it was made public that he had collected one million euro for a foundation that supports the treatment of brain stem cancer.

His plight was already decided before he became famous from the Serious Request action because his cancer was terminal, no treatment for him was possible and this morning at 7am he died, 6 year old. an age no child should die from a horrible disease like cancer (or any other reason, don't get me wrong).

This is what an online newspaper wrote:

Six-year-old boy who raised millions with nail polish campaign dies

Six-year-old Tijn Kolsteren, who raised more than €2.5 million in a nail-polish campaign, has died of a rare form of brain cancer, reports 3FM radio station. He had volunteered to raise money by varnishing people’s nails for 3FM’s Serious Request campaign in Breda. The money was to go to support families affected by disasters and conflicts. Comedian Youp van ‘t Hek and presenter Wendy van Dijk then started a ‘Lak door Tijn’ campaign, with Stichting Semmy, to raise money for new treatments for Dutch children with the same sickness as Tijn. They started a line of polish, Tijn chose the four colours, and it raised more than €1 million.

According to the NOS, throughout Europe about 400 children a year are diagnosed with cancer of the brainstem (DIPG), and there is no cure. In April, the boy received a papal blessing from Pope Franciscus, after a pastor from Nijmegen made a request on his behalf. Radio station 3FM said, in a message online, that Tijn was ‘a sweet and playful young man with an exceptionally warm heart.’ It added: ‘With his nail polish campaign, he gave thousands of children a future, although his own future was so uncertain. Tijn is an example to us all.

Read more at DutchNews.nl: Six-year-old boy who raised millions with nail polish campaign dies

Here is another story about his life, his too short life

And as a final memorial to him, his favorite song, Katy Perry's Roar

bubbabgone · Jul 7, 2017

Oh Lord.
There's just not many things as gut wrenching as this kind of story.
The picture has staying power.

Peter King · Jul 7, 2017

Our King Willem Alexander said in a interview he had today that Tijn was an fine example of a human being and that he thought it was wonderful that Tijn, showed that he had positive energy in dealing with his illness and that he could and wanted to help other people. And that he wished the parents, family and friends of Tijn a lot of strength during this extremely difficult time.

Queen Maxima said that Tijn achieved something fantastic and that the royal family had talked about Tijn and his illness just like many other families had done in the country.

Farewell Tijn, you were a hero

Peter King

bubbabgone

Peter King