Say what you will about social media being a bad influence, but nobody can deny the technology’s ability to enable good deeds.
Through the power of social media, people have gotten in touch with long-lost relatives, fundraised for other’s medical bills, and, for one sick little boy, brought much-needed comfort during a very difficult period of time.
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Four-year-old Atticus of Whitchurch, England, is terminally ill and has to endure radiotherapy. His mom, Emily Feduchin-Pate, says one thing that helps her son deal is a brown teddy bear named Boeuf. Atticus carries the cuddly toy around with him wherever he goes and calls it his best friend.
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You can imagine, then, how upset he was when one day, he couldn’t find Boeuf. On Jan. 25, Emily and Atticus went to the hospital for an appointment to prepare the little boy for radiotherapy. Afterward, they left in a taxi, walked around Waterloo, then took a train back home. In the hour or so all that took, the bear got lost somewhere along the way.
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Knowing more than anyone how important that bear is to her son, Emily shared a heartfelt Facebook post pleading for locals to search.
“We know we had Boeuf at the hospital because he had his own special radiotherapy mask made. After that I’m afraid we don’t know! Please help find him, Atticus starts radiotherapy on Monday 4th February and needs his best friend,” she wrote.
And help they did. Thousands shared the post, hoping it would reach someone who might have noticed an unattended bear.
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Another mom who saw the post took it upon herself to call around local shops and it paid off in a huge way. At last, Boeuf was located in a store behind Waterloo Station in London! Emily updated her post to share the wonderful news:
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“THE BOEUF HAS LANDED!
With huge thanks to all you lovely people for sharing our post, the power of social media has worked! A lovely fellow mum whose son is also under the care of UCLH called around relentlessly and located Boeuf in a shop behind Waterloo.
Suffice it to say there will be a very happy little boy whose best friend will help him through his second round of radiotherapy.
Thank you thank you thank you!”
We’re so happy to hear Atticus has his best friend back again, and it’s all thanks to those who took the time to help. Share this story to spread thanks and show support for the little boy and his family.
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