Cancer patient hosts own wake
knew I had to actually live during that time.
"I was on an emotional roller-coasterandittookmethree or four days to settle down.
"I initially thought I would breakdownbutthenoneofthe nurses asked if I had thought about an awake wake. You are awake, you are alive.
"I started thinking why should I be dead for my wake and not see people.
"People would come who I haven’t seen for years, so why shouldn't I get to see them?
"The people I love, my friends and family, would all be together and I would actually be there to say goodbye.
"This has given me something else to focus on and actually helped me emotionally.
"I don't want people grieving, those close to me have gone through every step with me since my diagnosis and the wake has given them something to focus on as well."
Chris, who lives with his girlfriend Claire Kirby, 46, in Sunderland, said friends and former colleagues will be travelling from across the UK and abroad for his wake.
He added: "It’s weird to say I'mactuallylookingforwardto it, seeing all of my family and friends together.
"It will be an emotional day and it will be held in the afternoon because I know I will become tired. It will be a day of laughs, with some dark humour I'm sure, and hopefully something everyone will remember with a smile."
Chris, whose family say has the "heart and strength of a lion" has a history of Crohn's Disease and his primary cancer diagnosis was of the bowel.
He will be raising money for Cancer Connections at the wake. Donations can be made at his Just Giving page www. justgiving.com/fundraising/ ChrisClark04