Rhys Langford, 19, started fundraising for Jacob Jones to receive treatment for neuroblastoma. He used his remaining time to raise money for another little boy who had cancer in the hopes of beating the disease when he learned he only had months to live.
When doctors told Rhys Langford that his bone cancer was terminal, he began fundraising for Jacob Jones, a six-year-old boy he had never met, rather than dwelling on human life’s mortality.
Jones had been diagnosed with neuroblastoma. After a year of being cancer-free, his family noticed suspicious tumors and rushed him to the hospital last month. Despite the fact that Langford had never met the young boy, he was moved by his situation.
“Rhys found the story of little Jacob. He called me upstairs and he was crying in bed reading the story,” recalled Catherine, Rhys’ mom. He decided to put £1,000 ($1,355.96) of his life savings into a fund to help pay for the 6-year-osteosarcoma old’s treatment in America, which included surgery and chemotherapy.
“He said, ‘Mum, I want to donate some money to him. He’s six years of age and he’s been ill since he was two. I’d be over the moon if someone would save him.’ I couldn’t believe he was thinking about someone else when he’s on death’s door himself,” said Catherine about her selfless son.
But the teenager didn’t stop there. He went so far as to set up an online crowdfunding page for Jones’ treatment, which has now raised over £63,000 ($85,425). “His selfless fundraising will help little Jacob continue his fight. £60,000 in his last weeks. Just incredible,” said artist Nathan Wyburn who presented Rhys with a portrait.
“Reading about little Jacob and his own fight and his cancer relapse has really upset me. I know nothing can be done for me now but as one of my many last wishes, I would like to help Jacob and help him fight this awful disease,” Rhys wrote on the online crowdfunding campaign.
But tragedy struck and Rhys passed away soon after. His mother gave a tribute to the brave soul that Rhys was saying, “My warrior, my hero, my son, my baby, has given up his fight. He laid down his sword and died peacefully at home with all his family around him, he closed his eyes for the last time at around 7 p.m. yesterday evening.”
Kindness and bravery go hand in hand. It is about thinking of others more than yourself and that is pure joy. We will always remember Rhys for his selfless act to help Jacob. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the grieving family and we join in the fight of Jacob.
The ultimate kindness that we received is from Christ. Jesus did not think that the position he held was important. He stepped down and became a man so that he can save us. He has forsaken his life so that we may receive ours. Remember that in this situation, you will never live without being loved: Jesus died to give you life.
You can still donate to Rhys Langford’s GoFundMe campaign.