An Irish cancer victim has touched the hearts of the nation with his video message to his baby daughter Noelle as he looks to make the most of their limited time together.
Kerryman Darren Mullery is fighting pancreatic cancer, branded the silent killer by Irish doctors, and has no idea how long he has left to live.
He received the news of his devastating illness as he prepared to celebrate his 39th birthday and wedding anniversary last August according to the Irish Independent.
At the time wife Danielle was four months pregnant with their first child – and now the Tralee resident is determined to offer hope to other sufferers that there still is life after a cancer diagnosis.
He told the Irish Independent that he also wants to leave a legacy for his baby daughter and show her how hard he fought to cling onto life to ‘maximise their time together’.
Darren explained his brave decision to go public with the video.
He told the paper: “I made a conscious decision this was not going to beat me. I just had too much to live for.”
The video, to the Eye of the Tiger soundtrack, was first suggested by close friend Rebecca Roche.
It is directed by Oliver Hurley and was shot by videographer Tom Hannafin.
The completed video was first screened at the Siamsa Tire National Folk Theatre on Sunday for Darren, Danielle and their musical society family.
The report says video has now been uploaded on YouTube and they’re hoping ‘Fighting Cancer Darren’s Way’ goes viral and puts a smile on the faces of other cancer sufferers.
Darren began to feel unwell in February of last year and was diagnosed in August but his cancer was so advanced there was very little could be done for him medically.
The Irish Independent newspaper reports that he started chemotherapy in October, having undergone two surgeries first, but this was stopped in December because his platelets were so low.
Baby Noelle made her appearance on December 12, at a healthy 9lbs 7oz.
He added: “It was the happiest day of my life and the first thing I did was count all her fingers and toes. After five minutes she had me wrapped around her little finger and it’s been that way since. She’s my angel.”
Now undergoing treatment and lengthy hospital stays in the palliative care unit of Kerry General Hospital, Darren admits that he does not know for certain how long he has left but says he’s already defied the doctors.
He said: “My whole outlook on life changed and I started trying to look for the positive in every situation. Sometimes it’s hard and I can be a pig to live with but Noelle is my inspiration and my reason to get out of bed every day.”
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