Daniella Thackray.Photo:Daniella Thackray Facebook

Woman, 25, Announces Her Own Death from Cancer on Social Media

Daniella Thackray Facebook

A 25-year-old woman with a rare form ofcancerplanned her death announcement, asking her family to post the pre-written eulogy to her social media accounts.

“If you’re reading this then it means I have died from my battle withcancerand my family are posting my final message on my behalf,” posts to Daniella Thackray’sFacebookandLinkedInsaid last month.

TheMayo Clinicsays smoking, older age, and diabetes may increase the risk of developing Cholangiocarcinoma, and explains it “is a very difficult type ofcancerto treat,” with surgery, liver transplant, chemotherapy, and palliative care recommended.

Daniella Thackray.Daniella Thackray Facebook

Woman, 25, Announces Her Own Death from Cancer on Social Media

As Thackray had shared on social media, she’d undergonea liver resection and gallbladder surgeryeight months ago.

“I really really do hope that in the years to come more research is done about this horrid cruel disease so that more lives can be saved,” Thackray wrote in her final post.

“So with that being said, although we can’t control what happens to us, we can control how we react. I chose not to mourn the life I was losing despite being so devastated, but to instead enjoy every moment I had left,” the Leeds, England, resident wrote.

“As I have always said and believed you should enjoy the little things in life and cherish every moment! Romanticise your life! Do whatever makes you happy and don’t let anyone take the joy of life away from you x”

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“So thank you everyone for making my life so magical. Remember what I said about enjoying the little things. If ever there is a tomorrow when we’re not together, there is something you must always remember. You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem and smarter than you think. But the most important thing is, even if we’re apart… I’ll always be with you," she wrote, quoting Winnie the Pooh.

Thackray’s post has since gone viral, with more than 50,000 reactions on Linked In and 2,300 reactions on Facebook — where people shared how her message touched them.

“I don’t know, and will never have the opportunity to meet Daniella, but she has forever changed my view of life. She was wise beyond her years,” one person wrote.

“What a beautiful statement and testimonial. so very brave how she battled in this life and embraced the next. I’m so thankful she shared this with us,” wrote another.

Thackray ended on a note to her fiancé, Tom Calvert. “And lastly to my dear, beautiful Tom, I love you and always will. Thank you for supporting me and bringing so much love and happiness into my life. Go enjoy your life now, you deserve it. Daniella ❤️"

source: people.com