In November 2018 Charlie Proctor shared some heartbreaking words with his mother, as his condition deteriorated one last time.

During our lifetime, it is inevitable that some of us will have to face some frightening news about our health. Unfortunately, though, there are already countless children who find themselves in that terrifying position. And they are forced to fight for their lives before life has even really started. Poignantly, youngster Charlie Proctor was one of those kids back in 2018.

From Accrington, Lancashire, in the U.K. Charlie grew up with his parents Ben Proctor and Amber Schofield. And he attended St Andrew’s Primary School, while also harboring a real love for one sport in particular. Indeed, the young student was a big fan of Accrington Stanley, the town’s local soccer club.

However, Charlie’s life was turned upside down at the start of February 2016. For during that period, doctors discovered a growth in his liver, with the diagnosis being made a short time later. As it turned out, Ben and Amber’s son had a rare type of cancer known as Hepatoblastoma.

To make matters worse, the cancer was also affecting Charlie’s lungs, as he prepared to start his treatment. But while the Accrington youngster did go into remission by 2017, the disease eventually came back, leading to a gut-wrenching moment. Indeed, before he passed away in November 2018, he shared some final words with mother, Amber.

For many people, their younger years covered some of the best periods of their life. Whether it’s the time they spent with friends or the bonds they built with family, these moments aren’t easily forgotten. Outside of that, there are several other important aspects to childhood. And sadly, while kids are free from the responsibilities of adulthood, they still have other obligations to fulfill.

Indeed, children have to work hard for their education, setting them up for the future from a young age. Sadly, though, there are countless youngsters like Charlie who must overcome some difficult obstacles even before they get to that. On that note, let’s go back some six years to when the Proctor family received little Charlie into their lives.

Born in April 2013, the first two years of Charlie’s life appeared to be quite normal, as his parents raised him. In fact, Ben and Amber were preparing to welcome a new face in to their family in the spring of 2016. However, just a few months before the big day, their lives changed forever.

Yes, following a visit to the doctors, Charlie’s parents received some devastating news about their son in February 2016. At that stage, Amber and Ben were told that he had a growth on his liver, which led to further tests. And once those examinations were completed, they finally heard the diagnosis.

Off the back of that challenging period, Amber felt the need to create a GoFundMe page for her family. And it was there that she shared Charlie’s story with the public, writing up a post that detailed meetings with physicians. Unfortunately for the youngster, his condition was quite serious, as we’ll now find out.

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As Amber went on to explain to the fundraising website, “On February 1 (2016) we were told our baby boy had a tumor in his liver. “We knew nothing more till he had his biopsy on the 5th. When his results came back, it was heartbreaking to listen to. All four sections of his liver had been taken over, and they also found it had spread to both lungs.”

What’s more, seeing the test results in person proved to be incredibly difficult for Amber. And given Charlie’s small size, the cancer looked ominous on the scans. Then, after reviewing the pictures, she and Ben were told about the disease itself by the doctors. What was to unravel was likely to make them feel incredibly unlucky.

Yes, because Amber continued, “[Charlie] got diagnosed with Hepatoblastoma stage IV. Hepatoblastoma is a rare tumor that usually occurs in children under three, and only about eight children are diagnosed in the U.K. each year. There are stages I, II, III and IV. Unfortunately Charlie is stage IV, which means it’s took over his liver and spread to both his lungs.”

From there, Amber revealed that Charlie would require a liver transplant, but the procedure couldn’t be completed immediately. No, sadly the Accrington youngster needed to undergo treatment to fight the cancer in his lungs first. Once that was done, doctors could then potentially proceed with the vital operation at the hospital.

As Amber went on to explain, “The chemotherapy treatment [Charlie is] on is to hopefully clear the cancer in his lungs and shrink the tumor in his liver. “He has a scan in Leeds on April 5, 2016, which will tell us how he’s responding to the chemo. And how ready he might be for his liver transplant.”

At that point, Amber reiterated the seriousness of Charlie’s condition in the GoFundMe post. The mom added, “Until then, and also after his transplant, he carries on with all his treatment as normal (chemotherapy, blood transfusions, platelet transfusions, etc). Even though he seems happy in himself, his survival rate is still only 20 to 60 percent.”

After finishing that initial post, Amber kept users informed in the following months via a number of different updates. And each post detailed Charlie’s fight against the disease, leading to a significant moment. In 2017, the youngster had an operation on his liver at Birmingham Children’s Hospital. Significantly, it looked like things were getting better for the soccer fan, as we’ll now find out.

So thanks to that procedure, Charlie’s cancer soon went into remission, much to his family’s delight. Unfortunately, though, the good news was fairly short lived, as the disease eventually came back again. Given Ben and Amber’s options at the time, they then made a big decision about what to do next.

Indeed, Charlie’s parents planned to get their son into the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital in the U.S.A.. There, specialist Dr. James Geller, could potentially perform the liver transplant. At first, the operation was set to cost Amber and Ben over $370,000. But subsequently, they had to readjust their target on GoFundMe to around $390,000.

However, the price then shot up dramatically to over $1 million, leaving Amber and Ben in a horrible situation. While they adjusted the figure again, and received a sizable donation from music superstar Pink, they couldn’t reach the target. Sadly, it was just too much, too late. And before closing the page, the mom and dad had brought in more than $440,000.

From there, Amber went on to make a heartbreaking post in October 2018 via the “Charlie’s Chapter” Facebook page. According to the doctors, her son only had a few weeks left until the cancer would take his life. Tragically, that prognosis appeared to be accurate, as the parent wrote up an additional message the following month.

“As the days go by, [Charlie] deteriorates more and more,” Amber wrote in November 2018. “He no longer looks like Charlie. He’s so thin, I can see and feel every bone in his tiny body, his sunken face, his rolling eyes. Where has my chunky baby gone. Chunky from birth!”

But despite Charlie’s worsening condition, though, Amber outlined a particularly bittersweet hope. She continued, “I want everyone to remember Charlie for who he is. I want them to remember how he looked, how cheeky he was, how hilarious, how grumpy he was. Because right now, Charlie isn’t any of those.”

Following that, the heartbroken mom revealed that Charlie had struggled to get comfortable in the family home earlier that day. Sadly, his mood seemingly mirrored the unease as well, which compounded things further. Then, the youngster’s mother touched upon a conversation they had had. And it was one to touch even the most hard-hearted.

As Amber went on to explain, “Charlie, at one point, turned to me and said in the most quiet, panting voice, ‘Mommy, I’m so sorry for this.’ He was sorry because he wanted to move again, and he felt he had to apologize for that? So now I know he also feels like he’s somewhat ‘in the way.’ My heart broke!”

Following that conversation with her son, Amber went on to make a gut-wrenching admission. The mom said, “No child should feel the emotions Charlie is feeling. No child! No parent should watch their child slowly go. Having to watch them deteriorate in this way is the most painful thing anyone will ever feel.” But with that came some acceptance.

For you see, Amber emphasized, “If Charlie’s fate is to go, then I’d rather the angels took him weeks ago before he suffered anymore.” What’s more, the Accrington resident delved further into Charlie’s condition at the time of the post. And due to the problems with his liver, his skin had now turned yellow. On that note, Amber had some important advice for every parent at home.

Indeed, she implored moms and dads to keep their youngsters close to them, and appreciate the time they have together as a family. As she went on to explain, “Hold your babies tight and cuddle and kiss them so much. You don’t realise how lucky you are. We all take life for granted.”

Touchingly, Amber’s words appeared to resonate on social media, as users flocked to read the latest update on Charlie. Since being posted, the message has over 16,000 likes and more than 2,400 shares, but that’s not all. Alongside that, it’s also generated in excess of 4,600 comments.

“Absolutely heart-wrenching to read this,” wrote one Facebook user in the comments section. “My heart sunk into my stomach, my throat is tight and I feel very emotional. Poor poor Charlie. There are no words. Keeping Charlie close to my heart. Pray for a miracle. Wishing I could hug him with you.”

And those kind words were reiterated by a fellow social media user, who tried to support Amber. Calling herself Michelle, she wrote, “Tears are flowing from my eyes. Awwww poor, poor, beautiful, brave Charlie. You don’t deserve this. No child does. And no parent should have to sit helplessly by and watch their child fade away in front of them.” But that’s not all.

Yes, the Facebook user actually appealed to the divine, as she said, “Just heartbreaking. Still praying for a miracle. Come on you upstairs. Time to give them the miracle they so deserve.” Sadly, though, those hopes were dashed just a short time later. Some 24 hours on from Amber’s post, she had another update to share about Charlie.

“Last night at 11:14 p.m. my best friend, my world, Charlie, took his final breath,” Amber wrote on the social media website. “He fell asleep peacefully cuddled in my arms, with daddy’s arms wrapped around us. Our hearts are aching. The world has lost an incredible little boy.”

But amongst the pain, Amber shared some touching things about Charlie, including that he introduced her to parenthood. Furthermore, the mom also looked beyond her heartbroken family, as she believed her son’s fighting spirit had impacted others. Poignantly, she said, “Charlie, you gave me a chance to be a mum.” But her strong words didn’t end there.

That’s right, the Accrington mom continued, “You have been, not only our biggest inspiration, but you have been an inspiration to thousands of people all over the world. You showed me what love really means Charlie. Now it’s time to fly, I am so, so proud of you. You fought this so hard.”

Finally, Amber brought her melancholy post to an end. As she concluded, “My baby, I’m hurting so much. I will forever miss you baby bum. Sweet dreams my baby.” In addition to the message, a photograph was posted too, capturing Charlie in a field with his mom and dad. As you might expect, the response was overwhelming.

You’ve guessed it, much like the previous post, Amber’s words made a notable impact on Facebook, as people offered their condolences. Since being posted, the message about Charlie’s passing has earned over 35,000 likes and around 7,000 shares. To add to that, it’s garnered more than 10,000 comments from users as well.

“I’m so, so sorry for your loss,” wrote one user, called Sarah, in the comments section. “No parent should have to go through what you are going through. And for Charlie to have lived with this horrible disease for so long is devastating. Hopefully you will find peace, and Charlie will live on in your hearts.” But there was more.

Indeed, those sentiments were shared by many other users on Facebook, with people coming together to support Amber and Ben. However, one comment arguably stood out from the rest. It read, “Things like this are so, so heartbreaking. My hat comes off to the parents as they must be going through hell.”

Touchingly, the Facebook user, called Angie, added, “And wee Charlie, you have been such a wee fighter and your parents are so, so super proud of you. You were and always will be ‘simply the best.’ Prayers and thoughts are with you all at this very, very sad time. Fly high little angel.”

In the months after Charlie’s death, Amber continued to post on the Facebook page, reminiscing about her late son. But that’s not all, though, as she’s tried to help a different youngster with Hepatoblastoma, called Lee. And to help fund this little boy’s care, over $60,000 was donated to the hospital treating him in February 2019. Surely a fitting gesture that would’ve made Charlie proud.