Australian actress Clare McCann hopes to raise nearly $200,000 to “cryogenically preserve” her son’s body following his death.
Clare started a GoFundMe page on Sunday, May 25, asking for donations after her son, Atreyu McCann, died by suicide at age 13. The fundraiser has a goal of $300,000 Australian dollars, which converts to a little over $195,000 American dollars.
“My name is Clare McCann. I’m a filmmaker, journalist, and mother,” she wrote, revealing that Atreyu died by suicide on Friday, May 23, after allegedly enduring what she described as “horrific bullying” at school.
“I had begged the school, the Department of Education, and Children’s Services to intervene,” Clare claimed in the post. “I have medical records, psychologist reports, a formal PTSD diagnosis from his doctor, and emails proving I raised the alarm repeatedly. But nothing was done. No one stepped in. And now, my beautiful boy is gone.”
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Clare explained on the webpage that she has seven days to “cryogenically preserve” her son’s body following his death.
“If we miss this window, we lose the chance for any future revival that science may offer,” she continued. “This is about hope and justice. Refusing to let my son’s story end in silence.”
Clare further explained that all money raised would be going to “immediate cryopreservation and legal transportation,” along with “required medical and legal services for the procedure.” She also shared her wishes to start a trust in Atreyu’s name to “protect his legacy.”
Clare further shared her plans to donate any excess money raised to “a national campaign for anti-bullying education and reform,” along with “legal action against the institutions that failed him.” The actress also noted her hope to offer “support for other families impacted by systemic negligence.”
Clare noted that with her status as “a public figure with a national platform,” she hopes to use “every resource” to ensure this doesn’t happen to any other child.
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“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,” her message concluded. “We only have 7 days. Please act now.”
Clare further spoke about her late son in an interview with a local Australian outlet, explaining why she wants to cryogenically preserve Atreyu’s body.
“About six or seven years ago we started talking about the after life and heaven and I talked to him a little about cryogenics, and he told me he would like to do that,” she shared. “Over the years we talked about that that’s what we would want to do together, never separate. He deserves a second chance to live the life he wanted.”
If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.
