HUSBAND DIES AFTER HIS WIFE FINISHES CHEMO
Denis McCarthy helped raise £30,000 for cancer unit and was described as his wife’s ‘rock’ after she was diagnosed
A N “inspirational” husband who helped raise more than £30,000 for a breast cancer unit has died a year after his wife finished chemotherapy.
Denis McCarthy threw himself f into fundraising for the breast cancer unit at Cardiff’s Llandough Hospital after his wife, Suzanne, was suddenly diagnosed with the disease.
The father of seven, from Ely in Cardiff, helped to organise charity collections, bingo nights and fundraising events, and along with his mother, Irene Nicholls, the family managed to raise £30,000 for the Cardiff Breast Centre.
But now the local community is rallying round to give Denis the “send-off he deserves” after he died last month, with a Just Giving page set up to raise money for his funeral.
A statement on the page said: “Irene and her team have raised all this money for cancer charities, plus other charities too, and this is a very sad time with the loss of her second son.
“The family have been through so much throughout the past four years and it will be nice for the community to pull together and show some support.”
Supportive Denis was described as his wife Suzanne’s “rock” after she was diagnosed with breast cancer in December 2013.
After visiting her doctor, Suzanne was referred to the Breast Centre at Llandough Hospital.
A biopsy and mammogram confirmed that she had breast cancer and Suzanne had a mastectomy, by which time the lump had doubled in size and spread to her lymph nodes.
She had a second operation four days later and started a course of chemotherapy, which lasted for the next six months.
As she recovered from the two operations and battled through chemotherapy, Denis surprised Suzanne with a Valentine’s Day proposal, and the couple tied the knot later the same year.
Denis’ aunt, Linda Williams, said: “He was so supportive of Suzi after she was diagnosed with breast can- cer – he really was her rock.
“Denis was the most kindhearted, warm and thoughtful person you could ever hope to meet. He was so lovely and so many people liked him.
“The breast cancer unit did soo much for Suzi, and the family just t wanted to give something back.
“Along with his mother, Denis would organise things like bingo nights and charity walks and he loved taking part – you’d always see him there in his pink T-shirt, carrying a collection bucket.
“When local families at the cancer unit needed help, Denis and his mother would rally round and raise money for them.
“Denis died last month after suffering from a fit.
“He’d always suffered with them, but he was never diagnosed with epilepsy.
“One night Suzi woke up and he was fitting downstairs, she turned him on his side and called 999, but sadly it was too late.
“Denis was a proud family man and father of seven – every achieve- ment or birthday was always plastered all over Facebook. He really loved his family and was a real mammy’s boy.
“He was the most kind-hearted, warm and thoughtful person you could ever hope to meet.”
The Breast Centre for Cardiff and the Vale also paid tribute to “supportive family man” Denis on their Facebook page.
“We would like to take a minute to remember an inspiring, loving, supportive family man Denis McCarthy,” the tribute read.
“His wife was diagnosed with breast cancer and along with his mother, Irene Hicks Nicholls, and friends they have raised in total an incredible £30,000.
“We are thinking of his family and friends at this sad time. Rest in peace Denis, we will always remember you. Fly high.”
Denis’ funeral will be held on September 19 at the Church of the Resurrection in Ely.
To donate visit https://www. j ustgiving. com/ crowdfunding/ gemma-williams-1