Heartbroken mother hopes the world will join in praying for her terminally ill 4-year-old son

Chad (back) with his parents and two older brothers (Photo: Facebook/Tammi Curtis Carr)

A Michigan mother who received the devastating news this week that her 4-year-old son is terminally ill with brain cancer is hoping social media will bring a miracle to her family.

Tammi Curtis Carr took her son, Chad, to doctors for a check-up to make sure he was ok after falling over on and hitting his nose on Monday. But the MRI scan picked up something she never expected – an inoperable tumor on his brain stem.

Now little Chad is fighting for his life with Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma, a condition with an average survival rate of just nine to 12 months, Fox News reports.

Tammi immediately turned to her Facebook page for support, writing: "We now need prayers and it's my hope that this goes viral and millions fall in love with [Chad] and send him prayers.

"It's going to take a miracle and I believe it can happen and I hope you will help and spread his story!"

The football team from the University of Michigan have already got behind Chad's cause.  They paid him a visit at the C.S. Mott Children's Hospital in Ann Arbor on Thursday night and will be wearing orange wristbands with the words "pray for a miracle" at their game on Saturday.

On Friday, the family gathered around Chad, the youngest of three sons, for a party in the hospital to celebrate his fourth birthday.

"Happy 4th Birthday to our beautiful little boy. Here's to many more. #chadtough," Tammi tweeted.

Tammi told Fox News about her hope for Chad.

"There's got to be a reason that this is happening," she said.

"I know that God listens. I want an army to pray for my little guy. I don't want anyone to stop praying for him.

"We have fantastic doctors, and some kids have survived. It's still not promising but with prayer we can get that miracle."

News
Chin human rights group takes Myanmar junta to court over killings, rapes
Chin human rights group takes Myanmar junta to court over killings, rapes

The Chin have been badly treated throughout much of Myanmar's post-independence history.

Sir Brian Souter says the nation is 'seeing a rebirth of Christ-centred Christianity'
Sir Brian Souter says the nation is 'seeing a rebirth of Christ-centred Christianity'

Sir Brian Souter, the founder of Stagecoach and Megabus, has spoken candidly about the role of Christian faith in business and his view that Britain’s increasingly secular culture may be giving rise to a renewed and more authentic form of Christianity.

Report reveals religious and political shifts in UK
Report reveals religious and political shifts in UK

Faith identity and ideology "are assuming a more significant role in shaping political allegiance, civic participation, and the wider culture", a new report has found.

'Quiet revival' continues as Winchester sees Christmas surge
'Quiet revival' continues as Winchester sees Christmas surge

In some cases the numbers coming were double what was expected.