Grieving parents' response after losing 8-year-old due to cardiac arrest is inspiring the whole internet

The parents ensured they would honor their son's memory most profoundly, and it's beyond impressive.

PUBLISHED 10 HOURS AGO

Parents comforting each other while grieving loss of child. (Representative Cover Image Source: Getty Images | Justin Paget; (Inset) BBC News | Kim Cook)

Losing a child leaves a parent's heart shattered, but there is not much they can do to change the heartbreaking reality. What they can do is brace themselves for what is to come and move forward to honor and respect their child's memory. Ian and Kim Cook, parents of the late Jasper Cook, lost their son unexpectedly on January 21, 2022, per Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY). Just five weeks before his 9th birthday, the little boy suffered a sudden cardiac arrest and passed away. His parents decided to honor him by looking after children like him and trying their best to keep fellow parents away from the brutal reality.

Grieving parents standing and paying respects at cemetery. (Representative Image Source: Getty Images| Photo by Anna Shvets)

Recalling the devastating day, the parents shared, “We found him in cardiac arrest and despite our best efforts, we were unable to save him.” "We know Jasper's heart stopped, but we don't know the reasons why," Kim said, per Telegraph & Argus. The CRY revealed that in the UK, at least 12 people under the age of 35 lose their lives due to undiagnosed heart conditions. Ever since, they have been determined to ensure no parent goes through the grief they did. “We are desperate to keep Jasper’s memory alive and that is why we have set up a Memorial Fund within CRY. All the money we raise will be used to fund Screening Days and support research, as we want to help save young people,” they noted.

Little boy in hospital bed undergoing treatment. (Representative Image Source: Getty Images| Photo by David Sacks)

The parents had been fundraising for this cause and sharing their journey and awareness on their Facebook page called “Jasper’s Journey.” It was done via several events, including skydiving, among others. They were recently nominated in the fundraiser category for this year's BBC Radio Leeds Make a Difference Awards, per BBC News. A family friend who nominated her said, “It is truly remarkable that the family, despite their utter grief in dealing with the tragic loss of their young son, are honoring his memory by doing all that they can to prevent other families [from] having to go through what they have suffered."

Energized by this recognition, the parents planned a concert in Jasper’s honor that took place on June 5. The concert was arranged with efforts and love from a choir from Birkenshaw Primary School, singers from St Paul's and others. A special performance was conducted by Jasper’s friend and her father with a special song in his honor. All the proceeds of the concert have gone into funding cardiac screenings for children. In a post shared on Facebook, the parents expressed their gratitude for the completion of the concert, along with a few glimpses.

“Wow! What an amazing night at our Memorial Concert for Jasper! I don’t think there was a dry eye in the house when Matthew Boselli & Oonagh premiered A Song For Jasper - especially when Jasper’s friends came on stage too,” the caption read. Another post revealed that pictures from the concert are available for purchase, the proceeds of which will also go towards the screenings. The parents plan to do a lot more with the overwhelming support received. "It's been a really difficult few years, but we are pulling through. I think what we've been doing with the heart screening has really given us a little bit of focus,” the mom remarked.

You can donate to the cause on Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY).
You can follow Jasper's journey on Instagram and Facebook to learn more about their fundraising mission.