The family of a young boy named Bailey Cooper received the most heartbreaking news that any parent could ever dread: their son had been diagnosed with cancer. In 2016, Bailey, a sweet and spirited boy, was given the devastating diagnosis of Stage 3 Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. Suddenly, his life transformed into a whirlwind of treatments, hospital visits, and uncertainty.
Everyone held onto hope for a positive outcome, and for a brief period, their prayers seemed to be answered when the cancer went into remission. However, this reprieve was short-lived. After returning to school and attempting to resume a sense of normalcy, the family was confronted with the shattering news that the cancer had returned. This meant more grueling rounds of chemotherapy and countless hospital visits. Once again, the treatments appeared to work, and Bailey began to feel better.
Tragically, in August, the family faced an even more devastating blow: the cancer had returned yet again, this time at Stage Four, and the prognosis was dire. “The consultant broke the news to us,” recalled Bailey’s father, Lee. “It was late Stage Four, and it was even worse. It was very aggressive.” The cancer had spread rapidly, with doctors discovering lumps in Bailey’s chest, lungs, liver, and stomach. They estimated that he had only days, perhaps weeks, to live.
Upon receiving this heartbreaking news, Bailey was understandably devastated, but he also felt a fierce determination to hold on long enough to meet his baby sister, who was due to arrive just a few months later. The family prayed fervently for him to make it to that moment. In an incredible display of resilience, Bailey fought against the odds and, in November, he was able to hold his newborn sister in his arms. His parents even allowed him to choose her name: Millie.
“He hugged her and did everything an older brother would do—change her, wash her, sing to her,” shared Bailey’s mother, Rachel. However, after Millie’s birth, Bailey’s health began to decline rapidly. In a bid to celebrate Christmas together, his parents encouraged him to make a list of gifts he wanted. Displaying the same selflessness he had shown throughout his battle, Bailey asked for presents he knew his younger brother, Riley, would enjoy.
Just before Christmas, the extended family gathered at their home to say their goodbyes. As Bailey’s grandmother wept, wishing she could take his place, the young boy gently admonished her: “That is really selfish, Nan. You have grandchildren to take care of.”
As the cancer progressed and reached Bailey’s brain, he endured five agonizing days of radiotherapy. During this time, he expressed to his family that he felt it was time for him to go. “I want to stay, but it’s my time to go, to become her guardian angel,” he said, referring to his baby sister.
On December 22, Bailey became unresponsive as the cancer overtook his small body. His family remained by his side, watching as he slowly slipped away. “We sat there hour by hour, watching him slip away,” Rachel recounted. “We read him stories and listened to his favorite music. By 11:45 a.m. on Christmas Eve, we were gathered at his bedside, knowing the end was near. We told him, ‘It’s time to go, Bailey. Stop.’” In that moment, a single tear rolled down Bailey’s cheek as he took his final breath and peacefully passed away.
The loss of their child shattered the family’s hearts into a million pieces, but they found solace in knowing that Bailey was finally free from pain. “We are numb, but in a way, we are also happy he is no longer in pain,” Lee said. They now strive to honor the wishes of their wise young son, who had shared with them in their last family meeting, “You’re only allowed to cry for 20 minutes. You have to take care of Riley and Millie.”
Bailey’s story is undeniably tragic and heartbreaking, yet his courage, strength, and positivity in the face of unimaginable hardship continue to inspire people around the globe. While his family mourns his loss, they take comfort in knowing that his light and legacy will endure.
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