If there’s one thing the media can agree on with British baby Charlie Gard, it’s that his life made a difference.
On Friday, little Charlie passed away after his life support was withdrawn. He would have celebrated his first birthday next Friday, August 4.
As an infant, Charlie was diagnosed with a rare genetic condition, mitochondrial DNA depletion syndrome. Parents Chris Gard and Connie Yates challenged his London hospital and the court system in a months-long effort to win permission to bring their son to the United States for experimental treatment. On Monday, they ended their legal fight to improve Charlie’s condition, because, as their lawyer put it, “time has run out.”
While the media coverage hasn’t alway been perfect, journalists united together on Twitter to offer their condolences.
British journalist Piers Morgan remembered the “brave” infant.
RIP Charlie Gard.
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) July 28, 2017
A brave little boy who touched the world. pic.twitter.com/Ng2eMjjlWP
NBC Chief Global Correspondent Billy Neely remembered Charlie as the “boy whose plight touched the world."
The boy whose plight touched the world. The short, hard life of #CharlieGard has ended, say his parents, a week before his first birthday. pic.twitter.com/bqLGx2G4YT
— Bill Neely (@BillNeelyNBC) July 28, 2017
ABC Chief Foreign Correspondent Terry Moran wrote “RIP.”
RIP Charlie Gard.
— Terry Moran (@TerryMoran) July 28, 2017
Statement from his mom, Connie Yates on behalf of the family:
"Our beautiful little boy has gone, we're so proud of him."
“Heaven just got another angel,” tweeted one Fox anchor.
British media reporting 11 month old Charlie Gard has died. So sad. Heaven just got another angel. @FOXLA
— MarlaTellez (@MarlaTellez) July 28, 2017
A Daily Telegraph and CNN Opinon writer pointed out a religious aspect of parents burying children by tweeting a picture of the Pieta.
I've thought throughout this nightmare of the pieta, of all parents who have to bury their children #CharlieGard pic.twitter.com/PmsabMyUmi
— Tim Stanley (@timothy_stanley) July 28, 2017
One America News Network Anchor Liz Wheeler also remembered the “tiny, precious baby.”
British baby Charlie Gard has died. What a giant blessing Charlie's life brought to our world for such a tiny, precious baby.
— Liz Wheeler (@Liz_Wheeler) July 28, 2017
A New York Post reporter called his death a “tragic end to such a short life.”
Charlie Gard has died. tragic end to such a short life. RIP. https://t.co/nduJ7Oo4wK @nypost
— Lia Eustachewich (@liaeustach) July 28, 2017
One NPR correspondent wished his parents “peace.”
His parents announce their infant son, Charlie Gard, has died after being removed from life support. Wish them peace.
— karenbates (@karenbates) July 28, 2017
