Heartbreaking tale of 8-year-old made honorary marine before succumbing to illness

'Thank you all so much for letting Wyatt into your hearts.'

Wyatt Gillette was born with a rare genetic syndrome called Aicardi-Goutieres Syndrome, which causes diabetes, seizures, requires tube feedings, cerebral palsy and more.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - According to the Gillette family's Compassionate Crowdfunding page, Wyatt's kidneys failed in early June.

Because of the syndrome, he was not placed on a kidney transplant list, leaving his family only two choices: dialysis or hospice.

Wyatt's parents, Jeremiah and Felisha Gillette, immediately checked him into a hospital where their son received daily dialysis on the slim chance his kidneys would begin to work again.

Unfortunately, the family was told July 14th that Wyatt would only have eleven more days on dialysis but if his kidneys refused to start, they would need to take him home on hospice.

Felisha wrote: "I'm sorry I am so vague here, I am honestly just at a loss for words and don't even know how to word this. Please keep praying for our baby, but please add to the prayers that whatever happens, he will be comfortable and put a blanket of love on Jer and I."

ABC 7 reported Jeremiah is a Marine drill instructor who wanted to see his son become an honorary Marine.

He created a petition to make his son an honorary Marine, which the U.S. Marine Corps granted. The title is only bestowed upon a select few each year.

The ceremony was held at Camp Pendleton Saturday, July 30. The next day, Wyatt passed away peacefully cuddled between his parents.

The heartbroken couple wrote: "We cannot begin to explain our gratitude for everyone's kind words, prayers and generosity throughout all of this...This whole thing has restored so much faith and hope for us and that is because of you ALL! Thank you so very much. and [sic] please, treat all you come across with the same kindness as you have treated our family with. We truly believe that happiness and kindness were Wyatt's mission in life."

The Crowdfunding page asked for financial help to cover medical and living expenses. They asked for $15,000 but by August 2, they had amassed $26,969.

The Gillettes were extremely grateful but asked that no one donate any more money. Jeremiah wrote: "The last thing we would ever want to do is take advantage of peoples generosity so with that said, we would like to inform everyone that we REALLY don't need any more financial aid!  what we have received so far will more than hold us over and give Felishia a little time before she has to begin working again."

Please keep the Gillette family in prayer as they struggle with the death of their little one.

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