Your Heart Will Break For Parents Raising $1 Million For Son Dying of "Childhood Alzheimer's"

For the first 12 months of his life, Carter Sarkar appeared to be just like every other child his age — until he started slowing down a bit developmentally and struggled to hit a few "typical" milestones. His parents, Jennifer and Samir, were assured at that time that though he was a little bit behind, everything was OK. Then at 3 years old Carter was diagnosed with Sanfilippo syndrome — a progressive, degenerative disorder that primarily affects the brain and spinal cord — also known as "childhood Alzheimer's." Now 6 years old, Carter is fighting for his life with the help of his parents, who are seeking to raise money for a clinical trial that could give him a chance to live.

"You wouldn't know it by just looking at him, but this disease will soon begin shutting down critical areas needed to function. As degeneration rapidly progresses, Carter will lose the ability to talk, swallow, walk, he will develop seizures, will suffer severe dementia, and die," reads a GoFundMe page created by the Sarkars called "Saving Carter," which has the goal of raising $1 million in one month. "Carter is starting to show the signs of the disease. Right now he can still talk, some. He can still run and play with his big sister Sophia. For now, he's hanging on, but just barely. This campaign for his LIFE is as urgent as it gets. It's now or never for Carter."

In an emotional video posted to the GoFundMe page, in which Carter can be seen running and playing, hugging his parents, and interacting with his older sister, Sophia, Jennifer shared her fears for her son — things that would be any parent's worst nightmare. "My biggest fears for Carter are: I'm not going to hear him say my name again. I'm not going to hear him say Sophia, I'm not going to hear him say Dad. Or that we see him stumbling and then he needs to be put in a wheelchair because his legs won't bear weight anymore. I cannot fathom the idea [of not] having him in our lives, because he is my pride and joy. He's my buddy."

As of now, Carter is doing well, however, without funding for the clinical trial the family is looking to participate in, Carter's skills will start to deteriorate very soon — and quickly. Samir and Jennifer hope that every person who sees their video will be willing to help support their son — whether monetarily or by spreading their story — so that they can get him into the clinical trial, which is his only shot at living a full life.

Watch the video below to learn more about Carter and to donate funds on behalf of the Cure Sanfilippo Foundation, visit the family's GoFundMe page, which, at press time, has already raised more than $170,000 in just seven days.