[Update, posted 11 p.m. Oct. 19] Cindy Campbell has divulged the details of her little boy's passing on the moving blog she uses to update thousands of her little boy's supporters on an almost daily basis. She titled it, "Our baby is finally free. Rest in peace Ty Louis Campbell."
The devastated mother said Ty died at about 1 p.m. Wednesday, after he fell into a deep sleep with a rising fever Tuesday. There was no smile that day—a rare occurrence for a little boy whose sickness could not break his spirit.
"Ty never did break his fever. He never really woke up," Cindy wrote early Thursday. 'Not until he decided to leave this earth and fly freely among the clouds. At that very moment, he was awake. He had returned to Lou and I to say goodbye. To say our hearts are broken would be like saying it tickles to have your stomach ripped open with a spoon."
[Update, posted 11:55 p.m. Oct. 18] Cindy's blog displayed this:
Ty Louis Campbell
10.04.2007 - 10.17.2012
In the six or so hours since the time it went live, the post garnered more than 700 comments.
[Original story, posted 3 p.m. Oct. 17] After putting up a fight against cancer for more than two years, Ty Louis Campbell—whose fighting spirit earned him the nickname 'SuperTy'—died Wednesday.
Neighbors confirmed the news. Word broke on Facebook at about 3 p.m., when some of the thousands of folks who follow the little boy's story online began leaving messages of condolence:
"I have no words to express the sadness & heartbreak that I am feeling. You are an amazing little boy. The bravest, strongest, most inspiring Super HERO!!! You are a true angel! My only solace is that you are no longer suffering from that horrific disease. You are pain free, cancer free, free to walk, run, jump in puddles, sing, dance, play, laugh and SMILE! We love you so much Ty! You have taken a piece of my heart with you to heaven! My only hope is that Louie, Cindy are able to find peace and comfort in all that Ty has accomplished and all the lives that were touched by your sweet little angel. My heart goes out to you Louie, Cindy, Gavin, Aunt Debi & the rest of Ty's family! ♥ ♥ ♥"
"I am a better person because of you sweet boy."
"Sweet, sweet Super Ty—you have blessed and changed the lives of so, so many people. Your journey now continues in Heaven, pain-free and happy - you are soaring. God, please take this little Angel under your wing and love him as much as he is loved on Earth. So much love and prayers for the whole Campbell family."
"Rest in peace beautiful boy. You touched the lives of so many strangers with your courage and bravery. You are pain free, flying with the angels, jumping in mud puddles. My heart breaks for your family. I will continue to pray for them and raise awareness for this awful disease."
"No words could ever be adequate. I have fallen in love with this sweet little boy and his family. I know you are at peace, Sweet Ty. I just wish there was another way. My heart is broken. Condolences to your loving family."
As of 4 p.m., Cindy had yet to update her blog.
Information on services was not immediately available. A prayer chain scheduled for 7 p.m. Wednesday is likely to go on as planned, organizers say.
Here is more—including his August 2010 diagnosis, his Make a Wish Foundation trip to Disney World, the absence of the disease after doctors said he had months to live and the cancer's return—on Ty's battle:
- 'Little Fighter' Marks 2 Years Since Diagnosis
- Thousands to Pray for 'Little Fighter' on His 5th Birthday
