Mark’s Palliative Care Journey

Hi, I’m Sophie, I’m 1 of 4 children and I am fundraising for my sweet dad, Mark.

On the 8th of June 2022, Mark (53) had to have his penis and scrotum removed due to Penile cancer; Penile cancer is a rare form of cancer and such a life-changing one as you could imagine. On November 9th, 2023 my dad overcame his second reoccurrence of the dreaded penile cancer. It was stage 3 and one of the most rare, aggressive and fast growing types of cancer. August 29th, 2024 the cancer has returned but this time, there’s nothing more the doctors can do to help him as it’s grown into his bones and is now classified as bone cancer. As far as we know, it’s in his pelvis, hip and stomach. This has been causing him immense amounts of pain on the daily, leaving him bed ridden for the rest of his time here.

It absolutely breaks my heart because my father is only 55 and I know there’s so much more he wanted to accomplish in life. He cannot fathom the fact that he will never see his almost 2 year old granddaughter grow up or see any of his children get married.

My poor dad has had his fair share of downs in his life, this one by far being the worst. It has certainly shocked us all. He’s currently in the second stage of palliative care, that being deteriorating. Doctors have given an estimate time frame of how long he has, that only being a couple of months.

As you can imagine, my dad is in complete and utter disbelief, and my family and I could not be more heartbroken. I really didn’t think it was possible to feel this much heartache. We are all terrified for what’s to come, but my dad’s biggest worry is that he will no longer be able to financially support his wife and kids.

Please, if you can donate even just $1, any little bit will help cover basic everyday needs as he’s unable to work ever again. It will also help with whatever else gets thrown our way such as funeral costs.

If you are unable to donate then please share this around. I know people say this about their loved ones all the time, but he really is the best person I’ve ever met and I truly could not be more grateful to have the most beautiful dad with a pure heart of gold. My darling father has put people before himself his whole life, now it’s time for that to change.