When tragedy strikes, some families locate purpose in transforming grief into hope. For Sven and Ellen from Zoersel, Belgium, the loss of their six-year-old son Lowie to an aggressive brain tumor in 2024 became the catalyst for a meaningful tribute that now brings joy to hospitalized children.
After Lowie’s passing, his parents chose to honor his passion for LEGO by donating a significant portion of his collection to establish a lending library in pediatric wards. What began as a personal gesture has grown into a tangible legacy, with LEGO libraries now operating in two major Belgian hospitals, offering young patients a chance to build, play, and momentarily escape the realities of illness.
The initiative, known as “Appie’s Legobib,” takes its name from Lowie’s beloved stuffed animal, which accompanied him throughout his treatment. Today, the project stands as a testament to how personal loss can inspire community healing, one brick at a time.
From Personal Loss to Public Gift
In the months following Lowie’s death on May 12, 2024, his parents, Sven and Ellen, faced the difficult task of sorting through his belongings. Among them was an extensive LEGO collection that had brought him comfort during long hospital stays. Rather than letting the sets remain unused, the family decided to give them a second life.
They partnered with Bricks and More vzw, one of the Benelux region’s largest LEGO exhibition organizers, to transform 31 sets from Lowie’s collection into a formal lending library. The first location launched in July 2025 at the newly opened Planet Goudgeel pediatric ward of Ziekenhuis Geel in northern Belgium.
“We spent days building LEGO sets with Lowie in the hospital,” Sven recalled in a July 2025 interview with Radio 2. “We handed him the bricks, and he built. Now we desire other children to sense that same joy.”
Each set in the library includes a photo guide and a QR code linking to digital building instructions. After use, every set undergoes thorough cleaning before being made available to the next child, ensuring both safety and longevity.
Expansion to Antwerp’s University Hospital
The success of the initial library in Geel prompted expansion to another major healthcare facility. In January 2026, Bricks and More vzw announced the opening of a second Appie’s Legobib at the Universitair Ziekenhuis Antwerpen (UZA), one of Flanders’ leading university hospitals.
Pieter Van Aerde, chairman of Bricks and More vzw, confirmed the timeline: “We opened the first Legobib in Planet Goudgeel in July 2025. By the end of last year, we followed with the second library in UZA.”
The UZA location operates under the same model: hospitalized children can browse a catalog, borrow a set, build it in their room, and return it for sanitization. Pedagogical staff at UZA’s Mother and Child Centre have praised the initiative for its emotional impact.
“It’s powerful how the family turned their grief into something that brings warmth and comfort to so many children,” said Aline Michiels and Juliëtte Venverloo, pedagogical employees at UZA. “Thanks to Appie’s Legobib, kids can lose themselves in the world of LEGO and just be children again, even during a difficult time.”
Community Support Fuels Growth
What began as a donation of 31 sets has since inspired broader community involvement. Following media coverage of the initial launch, Ellen launched a social media campaign requesting used LEGO donations to keep the libraries fresh and expanding.
The response was overwhelming. Within weeks, approximately 100 individuals offered to contribute sets, signaling strong public support for the initiative’s mission. Bricks and More vzw has as well pledged to provide an annual donation to the Planet Goudgeel library to ensure continuous renewal of the collection.
This grassroots support reflects a wider appreciation for therapeutic play in healthcare settings. While not a medical intervention, access to familiar, engaging activities like LEGO building can help reduce stress and foster a sense of normalcy for children navigating illness or hospitalization.
Honoring Lowie’s Memory
Throughout the project’s development, Lowie’s presence remains central. The libraries bear the nickname of his favorite comfort item, and stories of his enthusiasm for building are shared during volunteer orientations and donor communications.
For Sven, Ellen, and their daughter Emilou, the libraries represent more than just a charitable effort—they are an ongoing connection to Lowie’s spirit. “Our attic is now full of his LEGO,” Sven said. “We want to give part of it a second life.”
As of early 2026, the Appie’s Legobib libraries continue to serve children in Geel and Antwerp, with each returned set carrying forward the quiet promise of a boy who loved to build—and whose legacy now helps others do the same.