7th grader wins $15,000, donates it all to children's cancer research: 'A remarkable young man'

Dillon Thompson
Updated ·2 min read

Seventh-grader Diesel Pippert has already given away more money than most kids his age could ever dream of earning.

The Ohio 12-year-old won big at his state's Huron County Fair last weekend, and now his generosity has made him a viral sensation. Pippert earned $15,000 at the fair's hog auction on Saturday, pocketing the entire amount from a single pig. Now, he's donating all of that money to charity.

According to a Facebook post from the Western Reserve School District, the money is going to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, a treatment and research facility focused primarily on catastrophic children's diseases — especially cancer.

"His donation of $15,000 will help to find cures for young children and save lives," the school district's post said.

Pippert apparently got the idea from Austin Lettner, a 14-year-old from a nearby county who sold a prize hog for $11,000. Lettner donated all of his earnings to St. Jude's, too.

The bidding for Pippert's pig started at just $500, but offers kept coming in until the total had reached $15,000. The middle schooler is used to this process though: According to CNN, he's been auctioning farm animals since he was just nine years old.

Erin Sanders, Pippert's mother, told CNN that the family is now planning a trip to Memphis — where St. Jude's is based —to hand-deliver toys and games to some of the hospital's pediatric patients.

"Our hearts are full of joy," Sanders told CNN. "He's a remarkable young man."

And Pippert's generosity has inspired others to follow suit. The school district's original Facebook post has been shared more than 1,500 times, with some users promising to make their own donations as well.

Facebook users also responded to the post with personal stories, often sharing gratitude and praise.

"From a St Jude family, I just want to thank you personally. My son, Noah, was not a survivor and passed away on March 5, 2004," one Facebook user commented. "Reading this and seeing your selfless giving to that another mom doesn’t have to visit her son at the graveyard make my heart so happy.... especially today. God and my Noah are shining down on you, young man."

Cynthia Gardner, the regional executive director for St. Jude's fundraising and awareness organization, also commended Pippert.

"His kindness demonstrates that age does not limit kids from fundraising and making a difference in the lives of other children battling cancer at St. Jude," Gardner said in a statement to CNN.