PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – A Monroeville teen used his bar mitzvah money to help out another teen fighting a brain tumor.

Jesse Kaufman, 13, reached out to 13-year-old Jasmine Boden, also of Monroeville, a few years ago.

Boden was diagnosed with a rare cancerous brain tumor called Chordoma at the age of 9.

As part of a bar mitzvah project, Kaufman donated $5,000 he received in gift money to Boden and her mom, to help pay for medical expenses and travel to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.

“I knew I would get money in the future and to me it feels more good giving someone something instead of receiving something,” Kaufman said. “So I decided to give her the money.”

“I want to thank everyone for helping me, praying for me, been there for me since I was 9 in that hospital,” Boden said.

Boden has already had three surgeries including one that fused her skull to her neck.

“Actually, like missed almost two years of school, but two years socially as well,” said Lisa McClintock, Boden’s mom. “So, he helped her in two ways – monetary, you know, money, and also just being such a good friend.”

“I want to thank everyone for like helping me and praying for me and being there for me,” Boden said.

Kaufman would like to raise more money to help Boden out.

To donate, email myherojazzy@gmail.com.

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