Parents' heartbreaking decision as boy, 5, might not make it to Christmas
The heartbroken parents of a five-year-old boy battling cancer have been forced to abandon their fundraising efforts for treatment because they don’t believe they will raise the $2 million needed in time.
Charlie Proctor has been battling a rare form of liver cancer since 2016. Since the little boy’s diagnosis, his parents, Amber Ms Schofeld and Ben Proctor, from Lancashire England, have been desperately trying to raise money for specialist treatment in the US.
Doctors initially gave him a 90 per cent chance of survival, but chemotherapy did not work as they hoped and last month tests revealed more tumours had grown on his liver.
A GoFundMe campaign has raised $175,000, however the pair recently learned the treatment would cost more than $1.9 million – almost four times what was initially estimated.
Regrettably, the couple has called off their crowdfunding efforts and instead changed their focus to making “magical memories” with their son, cherishing what little time they have left.
In an emotional Facebook post on Wednesday, his mother wrote on Facebook: “Our baby might not make Christmas because of money.”
“With a heavy heart I have to now let you all know the devastating news,” Ms Schofeld wrote on the Facebook page set up to provide updates on her son’s progress.
“Saturday morning we received the cost estimate and with a liver transplant needed this time the price for Charlie’s life, for him to have a future would be [$1.9m] 1.1 million pounds.
“We realise we could never raise this in time and therefore are stopping all fundraising events. They are too much time and effort for a small amount of what we now need.
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“As much as it tears our hearts to bits we have to face reality, we have to see what is best for Charlie.”
His mother said the family want to spent Charlie’s final moments making “magical memories with him”.
“I sit here crying and unable to stop, my chest hurting and body aching with so much hurt but also how proud I am of everyone for coming together and helping our baby!” Ms Schofeld’s heartbreaking post read.
“If only love could save him. Unfortunately our baby may not make it to this year’s Christmas because of money!”
Even though Ben and Amber have stopped their efforts to raise money, they are still hopeful a rich benefactor could provide a lifeline for the little boy through their JustGiving page.
“I’ve asked for no more events as there is no time. Donations only, in hope someone wealthy can donate,” the parents wrote.
