2-Year-Old Dies In His Father's Arms After Battle With Rare Inherited Condition

A toddler in Scotland died in his father’s arms after battling a rare inherited condition for over a year.

Rowan McDonald, 2, was diagnosed with Tay-Sachs disease when he was around six months old after his parents noticed he had not met the expected milestones by that age. Doctors had told the family it was unlikely that the child would live to see his fifth birthday. The toddler lost his fight Saturday, Glasgow Live reported.

His parents, who had created a Facebook page to raise awareness about the disease, took to the page Monday to inform people their child had died.

"Breaks my heart to be writing that on Saturday our precious boy passed peacefully in his daddy’s arms while surrounded by his family," they wrote, adding, "We couldn’t have wished for a more peaceful ending to our baby boys journey here on earth."

"This life was cruel and I hope that whatever is after this life, my boy will be free, running around and playing and experiencing all the things he never got in this life," the parents added.

"We have been blessed to spend every second with Rowan and his big blue eyes and luscious locks touched the hearts of many. Grief feels strange when our child’s life was so hard for him, although we know he’s at peace now. We truly feel honored to be Rowan's mummy and daddy and privileged that we got to care for him until the very end," they continued.

Tay-Sachs disease is a rare inherited condition that affects babies and young children. The disease stops the nerves from working properly and is usually fatal in most cases. It currently has no known cure and affects one in 360,000 children.

The toddler’s parents are determined to continue to raise awareness about the disease.

"Spreading awareness is vital for this rare condition. There is no known treatment or cure. Raising awareness will help children of the future who are affected with this condition and their families receive the support that is much needed. Also, speeding awareness will educate people to be more aware of the risk factors involved," they wrote in a GoFundMe page that was initially set up to help support them financially.