Justin Bieber Tributes Passing Of Young Fan Jake Schafer

Justin Bieber has paid tribute to Jake Schafer after hearing the young Canadian fan he once met died from neuroblastoma, a type of cancer, over the summer.

“Heard little Jake is up in heaven,” the 19-year-old tweeted on Monday. “The world lost a great kid but I’m grateful I got to meet him. RIP Jake.”

Bieber’s tribute included a link to a YouTube clip of his meet with Jake back in 2011 when the then 17-year-old met Schafer through the younger boy’s association with the Children’s Wish Foundation.

The pair got to spend a day together playing hockey with Canadian hockey team Toronto Maple Leafs.

In the footage, Bieber is seen tying Jake’s laces and telling Jake his grandfather did the same for him. At one point in the clip, Jake says, “Today was the best day ever. I got to skate with Justin and the Maple Leafs.”

After he was diagnosed in June 2010, Schafer died August 20 this year.

Sadly, Jake isn’t the first young person Bieber has mourned this year.

On September 26, the superstar remembered the life and passing of Avalanna Routh, a young fan whose affection for the singer was such that she became known as “Ms Bieber” among her family and fans, and even wed Bieber in a “pretend” ceremony last February.

Routh died aged six after battling a rare form of brain cancer that mostly affects children known as atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor (AT/RT.)

Since her death, Justin has been part of fundraising efforts for Cure AT/RT Now foundation, which was set up by Avalanna’s parents in 2008 alongside the Dana Farber Cancer Institute.

In addition to his support for Cure AT/RT Now, Bieber also backs Pencils of Promise, a non-profit educational organization which builds schools in developing countries. Additionally, Bieber also works with the Child Hunger Ends Here effort, has previously donated to the Stratford House of Blessing food bank, and directed part of the proceeds from his 2011 Christmas album and Someday fragrance to charities.

The singer also lends his time, effort and money to Whitney Elementary School, a deprived school in Las Vegas, and recently set a new record for the Make-A-Wish foundation when he granted his 200th wish and became the biggest musician contributor to the organization.

Bieber has worked with the non-profit organization that makes dreams come true for children with life-threatening medical conditions since 2009.