Before Ian Dane Bailey passed away, he left a lasting impact on the hearts of his family and friends. Despite battling cancer, he comforted his younger brother and expressed his apologies for being unable to overcome the disease.
In 2016, David and Shannon Bailey received devastating news that no parent should ever have to hear – their nine-year-old son, Ian Dane Bailey, had been diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a form of bone cancer. After undergoing surgery and months of chemotherapy, Ian was declared cancer-free in 2019.
During his recovery, the hospital’s care team celebrated his milestone by serenading him with musical instruments and singing a rendition of Taio Cruz’s “Dynamite.” Ian, visibly moved, wiped away tears and expressed his gratitude. A nurse in a viral video told him how proud they were of him.
For the next few years, Ian led a normal and happy life. However, in November 2021, doctors discovered that the cancer had returned and spread to different parts of his body, making it practically incurable.
Shannon’s brother, Junie Victor, set up a GoFundMe page for Ian, describing him as an incredibly smart, wise, caring, and selfless boy who provided comfort to others despite facing a significant life change.
Despite joining a clinical trial after his first relapse, Ian knew the odds were against him. He expressed a desire to contribute to science even if he didn’t survive. Unfortunately, the cancer proved unbeatable.
When Ian’s parents learned there was nothing more doctors could do, Ian, now 15, cried not out of fear but out of a desire to do good before leaving the world. He apologized to his little brother for being unable to beat cancer.
A viral photo captured the emotional moment when Ian held his brother tightly and kissed him on the forehead. Ian wanted to make the most of his remaining days, living not just for himself but also for those around him.
Ian passed away on April 4, 2023, at the age of 16, in his home. Instead of flowers, his family requested donations to be made to the Fourth and Gold Foundation, a non-profit organization founded by one of Ian’s nurses that aimed to fund cancer research for children.
Ian is survived by his parents, brothers Owen and Lincoln, grandparents Deborah and Gary White, Lawne and Karen Bailey, aunts and uncles, and many cousins. Before his passing, Ian engaged in several acts of kindness, encouraging his peers to live life to the fullest and face challenges with courage and grace. He was remembered as an intelligent student with a 4.75 GPA at Fleming Island High.
The harsh reality of death is an experience everyone will eventually face, and losing someone is never easy. Sabrina Dungian, a mother of five, also experienced heartbreak when she lost all her children on her birthday, despite her efforts to save them.