A family's heartbreak has become the driving force in their push to save the lives of others.

Nicholas Lorusso was diagnosed with cancer when he was under 2 years old.

Mother Diana Lorusso, of Hauppauge, says her son dealt with the disease for four years when he died in February.

“He was a dream baby, from the time he was born ‘till he was diagnosed at 16 months old,” Lorusso says.

Now she and her daughter Gianna are raising awareness of pediatric cancer through the Heart of Gold program, which allows schools to get involved.

Students use Gold Heart Kits to create paper hearts to wear in order to raise awareness. Donations are also raised for the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center to fund research for a cure.

“Kids don't let other kids fight alone,” Gianna says.