Parents' heartbreaking birthday message to Carter Cookson who was 'too special for earth' as they vow to save lives in his name

The parents of Carter Cookson have spoken of their heartache on what would have been their son’s first birthday as they vow to do all they can to save lives in his name.
Carter Cookson with mum SarahCarter Cookson with mum Sarah
Carter Cookson with mum Sarah

Carter was born prematurely on Boxing Day, 2018, but within the first hours of his life in this world the beloved baby suffered three cardiac arrests.

His parents, Sarah and Chris Cookson were told their beautiful baby needed a heart transplant to survive and they launched a nationwide appeal to find him the vital organ.

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Tragically, Carter was just over three weeks old when he lost his fight on January 19 this year.

Sarah and Chris CooksonSarah and Chris Cookson
Sarah and Chris Cookson

The South Shields couple, who lost their first son Charlie Cookson aged two, run a foundation in memory of their two children who were so cruelly taken from them.

Now on what would have been Carter’s first birthday, Sarah has spoken of their heartbreak and their initial hope as they tried their best to think ‘it is going to be fine, it can not happen twice.’

In the heartbreaking message, which was posted on The Charlie and Carter Foundation Facebook page, Sarah spoke about how Christmas Day has ‘never been so painful’ but was filled with the dread that Boxing Day was going to be even worse.

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“My heart aches and I fight with my mind, trying my best to remember the first time I saw my youngest baby boy, the first time I held him, the first time I heard him cry. But no, nothing, nothing but panic, eventually my memory kicks in but only when our world starts to turn into our worst nightmare,” said Sarah.

“Our beautiful baby boy, was struggling, he tried his best from the moment he was born at 12:20pm, after 10 hours of trying to survive on his own sheer strength he was ventilated and taken away from me. I was transferred to a room on my own, I couldn't move, I felt like I was suffocating, stared at those four walls – waiting for the next update from his daddy and a Facetime if the signal worked.

“I know you all know the heartache of the days that followed as we needed all of your support, our youngest son, needed a heart and we did everything, everything, we possibly could to plea for his gift of life.

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“We will be forever grateful to every single one of you, for all of the shares all of the effort and all of the love and support for us both. Your kindness and generosity, kept us going.

“We made sure we made the most of every second with him, in the short time he was with us, we learnt so much about him: his strength, he was feisty, he loved being massaged, he knew his mammy and daddy, he loved his daddy reading him stories, he was beautiful, the spit of his brother.

“But what kills us the most, we learnt that he was too special for earth and heaven needed him more.”

Wishing Carter a happy first birthday, Sarah added: “Sending you all of our love, fly high and keep showering us with your magic, you are so very special. Here for a reason, we will continue to do all we can in your name, saving the lives of many.”

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Before Christmas the couple visited Freeman Hospital's paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) after making a promise to themselves to help other families on the ward around Carter’s birthday.

They handed out bags to families including food vouchers for the Freeman Canteen, blankets and teddies as well as other gifts.

The Charlie and Carter Foundation supports the families of children with serious illnesses and does all it can to promote the importance of organ donation.