Daniella Thackray, 25, announces her own death from cancer in a heartbreaking LinkedIn post – insisting she chose joy in her final days and telling her fiancé to ‘go enjoy the life he deserves’

Entertainment

A woman has announced her own death from cancer in a heartbreaking LinkedIn post describing how she “chose joy” in the final days of her life.

Daniella Thackray, 25, an HR professional from Leeds, had pre-written her thought-provoking last words for her family to post on her behalf following her death from a rare and aggressive form of bile duct cancer, also known as cholangiocarcinoma.

The post has since racked up almost 35,000 likes as people were moved by Daniella’s positive outlook despite her tragic circumstances.

As she paid tribute to her family, fiancé Tom and dog Leo, Daniella – who worked as a ‘people administrator’ at a digital marketing agency – encouraged her network to ‘enjoy the little things’ in life and ‘cherish every moment ‘.

She wrote: ‘If you are reading this it means that I have passed away from battling cancer and my family is posting my last post on my behalf.

Daniella Thackray has moved the internet with a poignant final post on her LinkedIn account after dying from cancer

Daniella had a rare and aggressive form of bile duct cancer, also known as cholangiocarcinoma. Pictured in an update on LinkedIn seven months ago in hospital

For her post, Daniella chose a black and white photo of her walking along the beach with her dog

Daniella Thackray, from Leeds, had her incredibly thought-provoking last words pre-written for her family to post on her behalf

‘Firstly, I just want to say that not all cancers are caused by lifestyle choices; in some cases it is hereditary, or unfortunately it just happens.

‘In my case, despite being very healthy and active, a cancer started in my bile ducts that was not caused by anything I had control over, and my life was never the same.

‘Cholangiocarinoma is a rare aggressive form of cancer with often no clear cause and no cure. I really hope that more research is done into this horribly cruel disease in the coming years so that more lives can be saved.”

For her post, Daniella chose a black and white photo of her walking along the beach with her dog.

Daniella paid tribute to her family, friends, fiancé and dog, encouraging her followers to ‘enjoy the little things in life’

The HR professional said in her heartbreaking final post that she had chosen to enjoy the time she had left, rather than mourn the loss of her life, despite being devastated by her terminal diagnosis

The emotional message continued: “So with that said, while we cannot control what happens to us, we can control how we respond. I chose not to mourn the life I lost despite being so devastated, but instead to enjoy every moment I had left.

‘As I have always said and believed: you should enjoy the little things in life and cherish every moment! Romanticize your life! Do what makes you happy and don’t let anyone take the joy of life away from you.

‘I loved my life. Everything I had achieved was what I wanted. I loved my job, my fiancé, my family, my friends and my dog, and the house we were buying and the future we were making for ourselves.

“Leo, my fur baby, was definitely brought into my life to brighten my darkest days.

Daniella advised followers to do what makes them happy, saying: ‘Don’t let anyone take away the joy of life’

The 25-year-old described how she loved spending time with family and friends, watching football and walking her dog

Daniella posted an update about her battle with cancer seven months ago, also on LinkedIn, revealing she had undergone a liver resection and gallbladder surgery

‘And lastly to my sweet, beautiful Tom: I love you and always will. Thank you for supporting me and bringing so much love and happiness into my life. Now go enjoy your life, you deserve it.”

Daniella has worked in HR since July 2022 at the age of 26 and previously studied at Newcastle University.

In a post on her employer’s Instagram, she described her role as onboarding new starters and supporting employees.

The music lover said her dream dinner guests would be Adele and Dave Grohl and described how she loved football, dining out and spending time with loved ones.

She added that her three-year-old English setter Leo needed lots of walks and attention.

Seven months ago, Daniella posted an update on her battle with cancer, revealing she had undergone a liver resection and gallbladder surgery.

Posting photos of herself in the hospital ward, Daniella said she was taking time to “rest, recover and learn to walk again” as she asked for TV and movie recommendations.

WHAT IS CHOLANGIOCARCINOMA (bile duct cancer)?

Bile duct cancer, also called cholangiocarcinoma, is a cancer that occurs anywhere in the bile ducts: small tubes that connect various organs, including the liver and gallbladder.

The cells can eventually grow into surrounding healthy tissues or organs and spread to other parts of the body.

The symptoms can be difficult to recognize but may include: the whites of your eyes turning yellow or the skin turning yellow; darker pee and paler poop; loss of appetite; unexpected weight loss; feeling unwell, tired or having low energy.

Your risk of developing bile duct cancer increases as you get older, and most people develop this disease over the age of 65.

Those with primary sclerosing cholangitis, a type of inflammation in the bile ducts, are also at increased risk for cholangiocarcinoma, as are those with long-term swelling in the intestine (ulcerative colitis), a parasite in the liver (liver flukes), bile duct stones and liver cirrhosis.

According to Cancer Research UK, around 2,800 people are diagnosed with bile duct cancer every year in England, and this number is increasing.

Sources: NHS and Cancer Research UK

Daniella’s post has left the internet heartbroken, with many rushing to express their condolences and well wishes for her family.

One said: ‘I’m literally in tears. After being diagnosed with stage 1A breast cancer in August, followed by surgery (lumpectomy) followed by radiation, this message from her hits home.’

Another said: ‘Wow. What courageous words from someone I have never met, but who has taught me a lot.’

A third commented: ‘You are an amazing lady, what a beautiful message to leave us, may you rest in paradise.’