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Rhys Langford may have recently died at age 19, but he was undeniably already a mature man. He had already achieved a major milestone in his life: raising a significant amount of money—£60,000 pounds, or nearly $82,000 US—for a young boy to receive cancer treatment. That included £1,000 of his own money. This selfless enterprise was what gave meaning to his final months of battle against his own osteosarcoma.
Langford had been diagnosed with osteosarcoma in October of 2020. After more than a year of treatment, it looked like he had beaten the disease, but in December of this year doctors discovered that it was back. Sadly, it had spread so much that there was no hope for recovery.
Around the same time, he heard of Jacob Jones, a little 6-year-old boy from his own hometown, Ebbw Vale (Wales), who needed treatment for neuroblastoma. The teen decided to try to help Jacob get treatment in America. Jacob’s “Fight Team” on Facebook responded with emotional gratitude:
On the fundraising page, Daily Mail reports that Rhys wrote, “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. I know what the treatments and awful drugs does (sic) to your body! It’s hell.” And many people responded to his call for solidarity.
Rhys passed away on February 8, surrounded by the love of his family. His mother made known the death of this young fighter through her Facebook account. “He lay down his sword and died peacefully at home with all his family around hi … We are heartbroken.” His fundraiser for Jacob (managed by his mother) is still active.
Heroism is not the fruit of age; it is the fruit of love.
Thank you, Rhys. Rest in peace.
