Sometimes, just when we think everything is falling apart, we come across a real-life story that gives us chills and restores our faith in humanity.
Nine-year-old Bailey Cooper from Britain had one wish that he made his mission to fulfill, despite enduring excruciating pain. His wish was simple: to meet his unborn sister.
Bailey’s mom, Rachel Cooper, 28, had told her son that he was going to have a baby sister. When she was born, Bailey’s love for her was immediate and unconditional. He named her Millie, a name that means “gentle strength.”
From the moment Millie turned one month old, Bailey fully embraced his role as the older brother. He adored her deeply, spending as much time as he could with her, even though his own health was deteriorating rapidly.
Bailey’s Struggle with Cancer
In 2016, Bailey was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a type of cancer that affects the lymphatic system. It’s unimaginable how devastating it must have been for Rachel to hear those words from the doctors.
Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma causes rapid multiplication of white blood cells, which can spread to organs and form tumors. Unfortunately, Bailey’s cancer was discovered at stage three, which was already an advanced stage of the disease.
He began chemotherapy immediately, undergoing months of treatment. Miraculously, he went into remission by February 2017. His family was hopeful, though they were instructed to bring him in for check-ups every three months, given his history with cancer.
The Return of the Cancer
Months later, however, the family received devastating news. “We were at Paignton zoo when we got the phone call from the hospital,” Rachel recalled. “They told us he had relapsed, and we had to bring him back.” Bailey had started showing signs of exhaustion and breathlessness.
Doctors initiated another round of chemotherapy, hopeful that Bailey could once again fight off the cancer. But by then, the tumors had already caused significant damage to his organs. “He underwent a stem cell transplant,” said Bailey’s father, Lee Cooper. “We tried everything we could to save him.”
In July, Bailey went into remission again, but the cancer resurfaced by August. His internal organs had been severely compromised by the disease, and it was clear that his body couldn’t endure much more.
Bailey’s Final Days
There comes a time in life when, despite your best hopes, you begin to realize that the end is inevitable. Bailey, though young, was already experiencing immense pain. “You’re only allowed to cry for twenty minutes,” he told his parents, displaying an incredible maturity for his age. He also made a final request: that everyone wear superhero costumes at his funeral.
On Christmas Eve at 11:45 AM, Bailey’s parents knew that his time had come. “We told him, ‘It’s time to go, Bailey,’” Lee recalled. “The moment we said ‘stop,’ he took his final breath, and a single tear fell from his eye. It was peaceful.”
Bailey’s last moments were spent holding his baby sister, Millie, the reason he had fought for so long. On January 6th, hundreds of people gathered to honor his life and pay their respects.