3-year-old Ronan Thompson died last year after suffering from Stage 4 neuroblastoma.

When her little boy received the grim diagnosis last August 2010, mother Maya Thompson started a blog “Rockstar Ronan” that recounts her son’s grueling journey with cancer. Little did she know that Swift would be one of her readers and would later write a song in honor of her boy.

Swift had invited the bereaved mom to a concert last October and had later revealed that she wrote a song for Ronan and will be performing it at the Stand Up to Cancer telethon.

Thompson wrote a letter to Ronan on her blog, recounting how she found out the name of the song.

I said to Taylor’s friend, “I have so many questions, but do you know what the biggest one is? I don’t even know the name of the song. Can you tell it to me?” He paused for a minute. “I can tell it to you, but I’m just going to make you cry more.” “Hit me with it,” I said. “I’m ready.” It was quiet for a few more seconds. “Ronan,” he said. I think I blacked out for a few seconds. I was not prepared for that answer.

I’m not used to feeling anymore. That is the gift she has given to us. A way to keep you alive in the hearts of millions, that I would have never been able to reach. She is giving so many, the gift of you and our story, that is so worthy of knowing.

Swift’s song “Ronan” soon became number one on iTunes with all proceeds going to charity.

“It’s … putting a face to childhood cancer that we didn’t have before,” Thompson explained to AZCentral. “Nobody wants to talk about childhood cancer. It’s too sad. But the sad thing is there are 46 kids diagnosed a day and seven of those kids will die a day. It’s sad that no one wants to pay attention to that. And I think now that she’s taken this stand, it’s just going to do incredible things for the awareness.”

Watch Taylor’s amazing performance and Maya’s interview below.