A father penned birthday cards for his twin daughters to cover the first 30 years of their lives, knowing his time was limited due to a severe brain tumor.

Nick, from West Sussex, UK, sadly passed away in 2020 at just 34 years of age. At the time, his twin daughters, Rose and Sophia, were only 17 months old.

His wife, Victoria, explained that her husband wanted to find a way to still be with them on their birthdays. She is now spearheading a campaign aimed at boosting research funding for brain tumors.

In the final six months of his life, Nick could only communicate non-verbally. Despite his personal challenges, he remained a pillar of strength for those around him.

Per BBC News, Victoria fondly remembered how he served as a pillar of strength for everyone around him, particularly for her. She felt his incredible resilience, evident in his daily commitment to work even amid his radiotherapy and chemotherapy sessions, was inspiring.

She said the birthday cards Nick wrote will offer the twins a more intimate insight into who their father was during that phase of his life.

Stepping up her campaign, Victoria is backing a petition that demands increased awareness around brain cancer.

Despite brain tumors being the leading cause of deaths from cancer among children and young adults under the age of 40, a mere 1% of the UK's cancer research funding has been allocated to them since 2002, as per recorded data.

Many people were touched by the family's story, taking to social media to share their devastation over Nick's passing.

One person wrote: "What a thoughtful thing to do whilst going through something so unimaginably bad, so sad yet heartwarming. I wish these little girls all the best in their future and the memory of their daddy be kept alive for here on out."

Another remarked: "That he has lost his life so young. What a lovely thing he has done for his children. Condolences to all the family."

A third suggested: "There needs to be more funding for brain tumour research and treatments."

Featured image credit: George Dolgikh / Pexels

A five-year-old girl died after she choked on a frankfurter sausage while in the back seat of her mom's car.

On January 16, Imogen Lennon, from New South Wales, Australia, was on her way back home with her mom Sam after finishing her swimming lessons.

Imogen and Sam were chatting while the little one was eating her favorite snack when she suddenly began choking, family friend Tamara Harrison said in a GoFundMe.

The fundraiser has surpassed its initial goal of $25,000 following hundreds of donations.

The description for the GoFundMe reads: "Imogen was a bright, determined, loving and sassy 5yr old who sadly grew her wings on Monday the 16th of January due to the most tragic and unlikely event.

"Imogen's Mum Sam picked Imogen up from swimming lessons on the afternoon of the 16th. On the drive home, Imogen was happily eating a deli frankfurt( a favourite after swimming) and chatting away to her mum from the back seat, when she suddenly started choking.

"Despite Sam's heroic efforts, ringing an ambulance, the help of a passerby and eventually driving Imogen to the hospital herself ( the ambulance was too far away to make it in time ) Beautiful Imogen passed away later at the hospital."

Harrison went on to add: "To make sense of such a tragic loss in such a way is inconceivable, there are no words that could accurately describe how shattered Imogen's family are. It is Impossible to Imagine life without Imogen."

She is hoping to raise enough money to cover little Imogen's funeral costs in order to alleviate some of the financial burden her parents are facing.

The family friend added: "Anyone that knows this couple knows that they are true Aussie battlers, always helping others. They would give the shirts off their backs, without a second thought should someone be in need.

"The burden of trying to find the money to pay for Imogen's final resting place and a fitting celebration of her short life is a burden that I would like to remove for this family, while they deal with such an unthinkable tragedy.

"I know they will be eternally grateful for any assistance, big or small."

The GoFundMe donors have been sharing their condolences, with one sympathetic person writing: "I’m so incredibly sorry for the heartbreaking loss of beautiful Imogen, in such a tragic and sudden way. I don’t know you and your family but my thoughts and love are with you all regardless.

"No one should ever have to face this. I know nothing anything of us say or do will take away the pain. She loves you always as you do her. Be gentle with yourselves."

Another added: "We are so sorry, Samantha and Bill. We only met Immy once but she was so bright, bubbly and beautiful we'll remember her always that way. With love, Tim and Melody."

Featured image credit: Dzmitry Kliapitski / Alamy

It's heartbreaking to see anyone suffer from cancer, but imagine if you were forced to watch your two-year-old child go through it. That's what happened when Holly Hughes was diagnosed with leukaemia just before her second birthday, kickstarting an emotional two-year struggle for her and her parents.

Thankfully, Holly - now four years old - was recently given the all-clear from doctors. However, when her parents, Christina and Chris opened up about her illness to Coventry Live, it became clear just how difficult the last two years had been.

Speaking of how his and Christina's world fell apart when they learn their toddler had cancer, Chris, from Rugby, told the newspaper: "We found about just before her second birthday. I was away in America and Christina, my fiancé, phoned me to say Holly was misbehaving. We didn't think anything of it but when I came back, we noticed she looked pale. We finally got diagnosed, and she had six to eight weeks to live if she didn't have medication."

He continued: "I remember my whole world crashing and I wanted the world to swallow us up. I couldn't describe it. It took so long to sink in, and it left me angry and upset. We got it together and asked how to deal with it and said what is the treatment - lets go."

In addition, Chris spoke of how quickly his little girl had to grow up when she become sick. "At the start, because she was so young, she was so upset," he said. "She grew up so quickly and she was fantastic. She is bright as a button, and was always smiling. The NHS was amazing, and the doctors and nurses who got to know her were just incredible."

Everyone was ecstatic when Holly - who had chemo every day for two years, and was also put to sleep to have injections in her spine -recently reached the end of her treatment. This included the NHS staff who lined the corridors of Coventry's University hospital to see her ring the 'end of treatment bell'.

The beautiful moment, which was caught on film, showed the four-year-old wearing a white floral dress and walking hand-in-hand with her parents while everyone claps as she passes through. She eventually reaches the bell, takes the hand of a nurse, and after rings the bell with a big smile on her face, knowing that her struggle is finally over.

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Holly's mum Christina spoke to Coventry Live about the "surreal" feeling of it all being over, saying: "If I had of known back then she would be okay, it would have been better, but you just have to hope. It was really scary. It will be strange now not giving her any medication every day. It will take a while for it to sink in. We didn't expect so many people to be at the ringing of the bell."

Congratulations Holly on getting better! What a fighter!

TikToker Deborah Finck has died aged 57 following a five-year battle with a rare cancer.

Finck had been diagnosed with leiomyosarcoma, a rare soft tissue cancer, and her death was announced by her daughter Katerina on Tuesday.

She shared the news with Finck's followers on Instagram and TikTok, sharing a gallery of photos of the two of them together, writing: "To my mommy, my best friend, my sunshine - thank you for everything you’ve done for me.

"You were the most beautiful mother and the best mommy anyone could ever ask for. You taught me strength, courage, bravery, and what it means to truly love and never give up. You believed in me, stood by me, and showed me the meaning of unconditional love.

"You will always be remembered, never replaced. You were the sunshine of my life, and every time I see a sunflower, I will know you are here with me."

She added: "Thank you to everyone who loved my mommy and showed her kindness. Your support means the world to us," encouraging fans to donate to Ronald McDonald House, which offers accommodation and support to sick children and their families, in lieu of sending flowers.

Finck had been a mother of six, having had three sets of twins, and her daughter had been sharing her mother's cancer journey online since 2020.

Prior to her sad death, Finck had shared her final video on Monday, January 13, responding to a fan's post about how her story had helped him cope with severe depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts.

She told the camera: "It meant a lot to me that you shared that. I sit here and I think, 'Why me? ... What have I done in this world to make a difference?' And maybe this was my purpose."

Finck continued: "You have a lot to live for. You have a lot of people still out there for you, and I don't want to go anywhere either. I really don't."

In her final few weeks, Finck made videos to say goodbye to her children as well as her husband, Paul.

She previously revealed a sweet tradition the pair had always done throughout their decades-long marriage, explaining: "My husband always tucks me in bed at night.

"Even before I got sick, it was a thing where he stayed up late nights working, and he would always tuck me in bed and kiss me. But I was just brushing my teeth, and he was hugging me while I was brushing my teeth, and he said to me, 'I just want to hug you forever.'"

She admitted that she "lost it" after hearing him say those words, adding: "Pauly, I love you so much. I want to keep those hugs forever, and I'm not giving up. I just want you to know, thank you for everything. Thank you for a wonderful life."

Paul also shared his heartbreak at Finck's death, writing: "Deborah was my partner in every sense of the word - my confidant, my rock, the love of my life, and my eternal soul mate.

"Together, we built a life filled with love, laughter, and countless memories I will cherish forever.

"Deborah, my love, you were my everything, and losing you is a pain I cannot put into words. But I will carry you with me in every step I take, every decision I make, and every moment I live.

"Rest now, my love. Your battle is over, and you are free. Until we meet again, you will always be in my heart."

Our thoughts remain with Finck's family, friends, and followers at this devastating time.

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