In another example of the often immeasurable cost of laptop theft, this time thieves ripped off a boy battling leukemia. The Dorset Echo reports that an 11-year-old boy battling leukemia used his laptop (and a webcam) as a critical tool to communicate with his family and friends via the Internet.

Not only that, but the laptop had emails from friends and photographs on it. Just like all laptops do.

It’s unlikely that these criminals targeted the boy in this way. Laptop theft is a crime of opportunity. I guarantee the laptop was unmarked and easy for the taking. So they took it.

Surely a new laptop will be in the works for the boy, if nothing else than from the outpouring of sympathy around the world. As for his emails and photos? Likely gone forever.

If only MyLaptopGPS had been installed…