POSTED: Thursday, March 18 at 4:30 p.m.

His years are few. But his struggles many.

When 10-year-old Zach Olson was born he was two months premature. As an infant, he needed a shunt to be put into his brain to drain excess fluid. His body rejected the procedure five times.

Then just one year ago, his bad fortunes continued when he was diagnosed with a rare form of spinal cancer.

"At the beginning it was pretty scary," said Zach's mom Miranda. "They couldn't give us much hope."

It was at this time in the hospital Zach first realized his giving ways.

"I donated my toys and stuff to the hospital," said Zach. "They don't have to look at what the doctors are doing they can just play with toys. Make the kids feel happy."

Zach beat his cancer. But earlier this month it returned and spread to his brain.

"He was very upset," remembered his mom. " He shut down for a couple of days. He didn't want to talk to anybody."

Despite the news, the following weekend, he stepped up his charity, raising money for St. Baldrick's. He was even in our studio early Sunday morning shaving hair.

"The day we found out he was coming back the fourth grade kids cheered," recalled Jackson Elementary School Principal John Walczak.

This past Monday Zach returned to Jackson Elementary after being away for a year. His story inspired the entire school to started a penny drive benefiting the Capital Candlelighters, a non-profit support group.

"I didn't know they were doing what they did," admitted Zach.

The school's goal was to fill half a five gallon jug. They ended up topping off two. More than a $1000 will go to help families affected by cancer.

"I am blessed I have such a giving child. A caring child. Sometimes it tears me up to know everything he's gone through he's still wants to help others. He knows what he has gone through. And he doesn't want to see other kids going through it. I am extremely proud."

And one more way Zach has touched people: that thousand dollars the school raised will be matched by the McFarland Pheasant Farm. So Capital Candlelighters will get more than $2000.