Butler boy dies after battle with pancreatic cancer
An 11-year-old Butler boy diagnosed with a rare form of pancreatic cancer died from the disease Tuesday, Sept. 17.
Aiden Bartley died at 6:42 p.m. Tuesday, as the sun was setting, according to a post on the Aiden’s Journey Facebook page, which had documented Aiden’s life since he was diagnosed with metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma in 2022.
Bartley had battled the cancer since the later half of 2022, when it was already considered stage 4 because of how long it took to detect. The form of cancer that afflicted Aiden has historically not affected children, which made it difficult for his parents, Michael and Megan Bartley, to find proper treatment.
The Facebook post said Aiden began to experience kidney and liver failure over the weekend, after being on a ventilator since Friday. Still, the post said Aiden beat cancer in a different way than others.
“He passed away a true hero’s ending. He took the cancer with him,” the post said. “He beat cancer but not how any of us wanted him to win.”
Aiden began complaining of an upset stomach in October 2022. After diagnoses of acid reflux and acute pancreatitis, a CT scan revealed a tumor on his pancreas. By the time the cancer was correctly identified, it had spread to the liver and the lymph nodes surrounding the pancreas, and was considered stage 4.
The Bartleys said Aiden’s doctor at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, Dr. Julia Meade, a pediatric oncologist, told them that the medical community had never seen a case of adult pancreatic adenocarcinoma in a patient so young.
Aiden also was examined by doctors at UPMC Presbyterian Hospital in Pittsburgh, which has a reputation for having the best pancreatic specialists. His doctors worked out a schedule of chemotherapy to shrink the tumor on his pancreas.
Throughout the course of Aiden’s treatment, the Butler community rallied around him and his family, with thousands of dollars being raised for his medical bills through basket raffle events and a bingo game last year.
Aiden threw the first pitch at a Pittsburgh Pirates game in 2023, and the Bartley family was able to take a Make-A-Wish trip to Disney World the same year.
In a Tuesday Facebook post, Michael Bartley called Aiden his hero, and said he was proud to be his father.
