A 15-year-old boy is pictured kissing and hugging his heartbroken younger brother after telling him he has terminal cancer.
Ian, 15, found out this last week that a type of bone cancer, called osteosarcoma, had returned and this time it was incurable, read a Facebook post.
The teenager had first been diagnosed with the disease in 2019 and after surgery and months of chemotherapy he was declared cancer free, but in November, 2021, he learnt that it had returned and spread through his body.
Now tragically Ian’s family were told there was nothing more that could be done.
In a Facebook picture he is seen comforting his younger brother Peter after just telling him the sad news.
Peter can be seen crying while he hugs Ian who apologised for not being able to do anything about the cancer and kissed his brother on the forehead.
The 15-year-old wasn’t scared of dying, said Benjamin Elliott, from Oregon in the United States, who published the Facebook post, but he cried as he was sad.
He said, according to Mr Elliott: “I only want to do one good thing in the world before I leave you all.”
Mr Elliott wrote: “It was Ian who made the choice to tell his friends and his little brother that his cancer would inevitably kill him. I think this picture truly shines the light on the "good" that Ian wanted and believed he needed to share.
"Even in his devastating prognosis, it was Ian who would comfort and console his friends and little brothers. Crying in this photo is Ian's little brother, Peter. Peter had just learned the devastating news that his days with his older brother were numbered.
"Holding him as tight as ever and kissing him on the forehead, Ian held on tightly and apologized to his brother for not being able to beat the cancer.
"From here on out, while he says he is sad, he also admits he's okay with dying, because while 'dying' is the technical term, he refuses to sit around dying and instead chooses to be busy living until his death becomes reality.
"The truth is that Ian refuses to live for himself. He chooses only to live for others until the moment he takes his very last breath."
Many people have commented on the heart wrenching post to express their sadness and also the amazing bravery.
One person also with incurable cancer praised his "strength" and wrote: "Ian. I am 59 years old with terminal cancer and you just taught me something.
"I am in the same boat and was approaching this differently. I will take your approach and remember this. Your strength and empowerment has taught me how I should be handling my exit to heaven.
"When that time is.... I would be honoured if you find me and say Hi! I am Ian. The little boy that got you here my way!! Proud of you.
"Reach out if you need too. I would love to hear from you. To Ian's family. My prayers to you."
Another comment said: "This young man is the definition of grace under pressure. His heart shines so brightly in this photograph. No child should ever be faced with this situation. Sending love, thoughts, and prayers to this brave family."
And a person wrote: "This is the very definition of what the Divine is! This moment of love adds to all of our humanity. Ian, your love for your little brother makes the whole world better! I know that for myself because you'll never be forgotten!"
