Upper St. Clair Family Starts Non-Profit Organization To Honor Son Who Died Of Kidney Disease

UPPER ST. CLAIR (KDKA) -- After their 16-year-old son died last year, a family from Upper St. Clair made a promise to create as many smiles as possible for children with disabilities and health challenges.

Kristin and Dean Huibregtse created the non-profit organization Always B Smiling. The 'B' stands for Bennett, their son who died after a courageous battle with a kidney condition called autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease.

Kristin told KDKA's Kym Gable, "The reason we called it Always B Smiling is because Bennett lived his life with a lot of struggles, a lot of issues, a lot of medical disabilities, but he always did it with a smile."

Dean said, "He just had such a spirit and a will to live and smiled through a lot of struggles that when that happened, it was very natural to say we absolutely need to carry that forward and continue his legacy."

They held a remembrance 5K at Gilfillan Farm in Upper St. Clair, where they shared their plans for an adaptive bike riding program for kids who are disabled and a handicapped accessible activity center on the Montour or Panhandle trails.

They also work with UPMC Children's Hospital, where Bennett had two kidney transplants.

"We're taking a lead from him and he's guiding us every step of the way," said Dean.

To find out more about the program and everything they're doing to help kids and families, click here.