BARRE, Vt. –

A little boy who stole the hearts of Vermonters with his fight against a rare blood disorder has died.

We first met Drew Bernier two years ago when he was 6 and in need of a bone marrow transplant.

The Barre community rallied to help pay his medical expenses. And last spring, classmates held a rally at school dressed up like superheroes in honor of Drew, who they considered their superhero.

Drew died Wednesday at the hospital in Boston.

“I have felt like it’s very important that he is not here and I have tried to put myself in the situation of being his mom and I would want the same thing for my children,” said Allyson Healy, Drew’s teacher in April 2015.

Love for Drew spread well beyond Central Vermont. Loved ones took their “Drew Strong” superheroes effort to the internet, and in just days, folks were dressing up as their favorite comic book characters to show their support for the little boy.

Drew’s family says he fought hard for more than two years like the superhero he was.

Funeral arrangements have not been announced.

(SOURCE: Young Vermont Superhero loses battle with rare Blood Disorder)