1 week ago
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An Australian actress has opened up about the devastating loss of her teenage son to suicide and has initiated a fundraiser to have his body cryogenically preserved, with the hope of someday reviving him.
Heartbreaking Post on Instagram
On Sunday, Clare McCann took to Instagram to announce the heartbreaking news that her 13-year-old son, Atreyu McCann, passed away by suicide on Friday. She called his death her "worst nightmare" and shared that he had taken months of bullying at school.
A Mother’s Tribute to Her Son
The suffering mother shared the heartbreaking news of her son’s death with a touching post that included a photo of Atreyu, her child actor son. She wrote, "It's with shattered hearts that we share the passing of my beautiful son, Atreyu McCann."
She described him as "the brightest light in my world - kind, creative, and endlessly loved."She added, "Right now, we are grieving a loss that words can't hold. Please give us time and space as we process this unimaginable pain. Thank you to everyone who has supported and loved Atreyu. We'll share more when we're ready. For now, please hold him in your hearts."
Revealing the Cause of death
On Monday, Clare shared more details, revealing that Atreyu tragically took his own life after enduring "months of relentless bullying."
She has initiated a GoFundMe campaign to raise 300,000 Australian dollars (around 196,000 US dollars) to cryogenically preserve her son's body, hoping that future scientific breakthroughs will allow him to be brought back to life.
What Is Cryopreservation?
Cryopreservation means keeping living things alive by freezing them at very low temperatures, usually below −80°C or as cold as liquid nitrogen at −196°C, according to a study in Science Direct.
The body is stored in a special facility for a long time, hoping that future science will find a way to bring it back to life.
Plans for Surplus Funds
Known for her lead role in the Channel V series 'Blog Party', the actress stated that if the fundraiser surpasses its goal, the extra money will be directed towards launching a nationwide anti-bullying education and reform campaign, pursuing legal action against the organisations responsible for failing her son, and providing assistance to other families impacted by systemic neglect.
Appeal for Donations
Clare urgently appealed for donations, explaining that there is only a limited window after death to preserve a body. She stated, "I am a public figure with a national platform, and I will use every resource I have to make sure this never happens again, not just to my son, but to any other child failed by this system. Please help us preserve our beloved Atreyu and give his life the dignity and future that his school stole from him.
Share this campaign. Tell his story. And stand with us. We only have 7 days. Please act now." At the time of the update, $3,645 AUD had been raised.
English (US)