LINCOLNTON, N.C. —  A Lincoln County community is rallying behind a 12-year-old boy.

What You Need To Know

  • Jack Stetz, 12, spent the last four months at St. Jude Children's Hospital after doctors found a rare tumor in his brain
  • Classmates and staff at East Lincoln Middle School raised $8,000 in pennies in one week in Jack's honor
  • The school held a welcome back party for Stetz and celebrated raising the money
  • Doctors removed most of the tumor, but Stetz will have to continue treatment for the rest of his life, but he is happy to be home and back in class 

Jack Stetz is having one heck of a school year. Less than four months ago, Stetz spiked a fever at school, leading to a seizure. While checking for any head injury, doctors discovered a tumor in his brain. 

His father, Joe Stetz, said they had no idea it was there. 

"There was no warning sings. Craniopharyngioma is a very rare tumor. It’s a very slow-growing tumor," Stetz said. 

Jack Stetz had surgery to remove most of it, and spent months at St. Jude Children's hospital in Tennessee for radiation treatment. 

“The only way we saw that, is because of the flu, if I didn’t have the flu, they wouldn’t see it," Stetz said. 

While he was away, his school and classmates were busy, starting a "Penny War" to raise money for St. Jude. The goal was $1,000, but they ended with $8,000 in pennies in one week. 

“I was just so surprised they did $8,000. As soon as I heard that I was shocked," Stetz said. “I was just so surprised they did $8,000. As soon as I heard that I was shocked," Stetz said. 

To welcome him back and celebrate the money raised, East Lincoln Middle School held a pizza party for students. 

Stetz's mother says the support from the community is overwhelming. 

“This school is new to us, and we don’t know very many people from this school, and now we know a lot of people, and we’re so blessed and happy to be a part of this community," his mom, Joann Bailey, said. 

Stetz will have to continue treatment, but for now he's just happy to be back. 

“I feel amazing to see my friends and family and school, you know, everybody that hangs out with me and stuff," Stetz said.