It’s rare enough, nowadays, to hear about multi-billion dollar corporations doing anything particularly heart-warming, but Pixar broke the mould lately.

Ten-year-old Colby Curtin from Huntington Beach, California, was diagnosed three years ago with a rare form of vascular cancer, and had been staying alive in the hope of seeing one film in particular.

Since seeing the trailers for Pixar’s latest movie, Up, she had been desperate to see it, but just before the movie was released her condition deteriorated, and she was unable to go to the cinema to see the film.

As Colby grew worse, family members made pleas for Pixar to help – which they did – and soon a company employee was flown to the family’s home in Huntington Beach on June 10, with a DVD of the movie, and Colby was able to enjoy a private showing.

Colby’s mother expressed gratitude to the company.

“When I watched it, I had really no idea about the content of the theme of the movie,” said Curtin, 46. “I just know that word ‘Up’ and all of the balloons and I swear to you, for me it meant that (Colby) was going to go up. Up to heaven.”

Colby’s mother expressed gratitude to the company.

Colby died seven hours later.

Our sympathies are, of course, with the family, but it’s also important to thank Pixar for showing the humanity to help grant Colby’s wishes.

Details from the Orange County Register.