Australian actor raising money to cryogenically preserve teen son

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2 days ago

Editor's Note: This article contains discussions of suicide. Reader discretion is advised. If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, you can find resources in your area on the National Crisis Line website or by calling 988.
(NewsNation) — An Australian actor who lost her 13-year-old son to suicide has begun raising money to have the teen cryogenically frozen.
Clare McCann, 32, of Sydney, hopes that future medical technology can bring back her son, Atreyu McCann. 7NEWS in Sydney reported that Atreyu died May 23 after what his mother described as months of incessant, violent bullying at his school in New South Wales.
McCann said in an Instagram post that her son took his own life in a 'moment of unbearable pain.'
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'This was not his fault,' the grieving mother wrote. 'He was let down by the schooling system as he suffered horrendous amounts of bullying. Now I humbly beg of you to help me preserve his life and help me fight against this inhumane landslide of child suicides caused by unchecked bullying by schools and teachers.'
McCann told 7NEWS that the students who bullied Atreyu were never properly disciplined for their behavior. She disputed Education Department claims that the school tried to intervene.
The actress wrote on her GoFundMe page that she has medical records, psychologist reports and a formal PTSD diagnosis from Atreyu's doctor, along with emails 'proving (she) raised the alarm repeatedly' to school administrators, to no avail.
She described her son as an 'intelligent, kind, sweet' boy who deserves a second chance if possible.
'Maybe it might not ever happen, but if there's a chance, you know, he deserves a chance,' McCann told the news station.
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Southern Cryonics, Australia's only cryogenics facility, has agreed to do what it can to offer Atreyu that second chance.
'A hundred percent we're not certain,' Southern Cryonics founder Peter Tsolakides told 7NEWS. 'No guarantees, but there's a reasonable probability.'
McCann wrote earlier this week that her son's body needed to be frozen within the next seven days.
'If we miss this window, we lose the chance for any future revival that science may offer,' she wrote. 'This is about hope and justice. Refusing to let my son's story end in silence.'
As of Friday, the fundraiser had raised just under $16,000 of the $300,000 goal.
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A New South Wales Department of Education spokesperson told NBC News the agency was devastated by Atreyu's death and that department officials and school administrators will work with authorities to determine the circumstances behind the boy's death.
Australian residents who need help in a crisis can call Lifeline on 13 11 14, according to 7NEWS. For further information about depression, they can contact beyondblue on 1300224636 or talk to their GP, local health professional or someone they trust.
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