Dad, 35, dies from rare cancer just SIX days after marrying mother of his two kids

• Chris McGinnis, from Nottinghamshire, died on May 10 – days after his wedding 
• The father-of-two was diagnosed with terminal bile duct cancer in February 

A father died from a rare cancer just six days after the marrying the mother of his two children. 

Chris McGinnis, from Nottinghamshire, was diagnosed with metastasis cholangiocarcinoma, a rare form of bile duct cancer, in February.

Doctors, who spotted the cancer after the father-of-two complained of tiredness, lack of appetite and a pain in his lower back, originally gave him 12 months to live. 

But after the 35-year-old, who married his partner Mel, 29, on May 4, died from the disease less than a week later on May 10.

His family and friends are now urging people to get their health checked and not ignore any worrying symptoms.

Chris McGinnis (pictured with his daughters Nuala and Onora), from Nottinghamshire, was diagnosed with metastasis cholangiocarcinoma, a rare form of bile duct cancer, in February

The 35-year-old, who married his partner Mel, 29, on May 4 (pictured), died from the disease less than a week later on May 10

Mr McGinnis went to the doctor in early February this year.

Medics discovered several tumours on his liver, which could not be operated on.

He started chemotherapy in bid to help him live for another year.

However, his family said the benefits of the treatment were limited and its crippling side effects, which can include tiredness, nausea and hair loss, were severe.

So Mr McGinnis decided to stop his treatment and by March was given just months to live.

Family friend of 12 years Natasha Walker, told NottinghamshireLive that Mr McGinnis was ‘the funniest, nicest guy ever’ who doted on partner Mel and his daughters.

READ MORE: I assumed I’d just pulled a muscle in my neck – but it actually turned out to be stage four cancer 

‘Everything was about providing for them and taking care of them,’ she said.

‘He worked so hard for them. This has come completely out of the blue. The family are devastated.’

Ms Walker said Mr McGinnis struggled to stay active following his diagnosis and spent most of the time on the sofa. 

She added: ‘He pulled the energy out of, I have no idea where, for that day [the wedding]. After that, it was a very quick decline.’

Bile duct cancer is rare, with only around 1,000 people in the UK and 8,000 in the US diagnosed each year.

In most cases, the disease is a type of cancer called adenocarcinoma – which starts in the lining of the bile duct – and according to Cancer Research UK, there are often no symptoms until it is advanced.

Metastasis cholangiocarcinoma is when the cancer has spread outside the bile duct into lymph nodes or nearby organs. This often makes the disease inoperable.

A GoFundMe page has been started in memory of the loving father, to help his daughters Onora, three, and Nuala, one.

Ms Walker said ‘daddy’s girl’ Onora is finding it difficult and ‘keeps saying things that are breaking everyone’s hearts’.

A GoFundMe page has been started in memory of the loving father, to help his daughters Onora, three, and Nuala, one

Family friend of 12 years Natasha Walker, said that Mr McGinnis (pictured with Mel) was ‘the funniest, nicest guy ever’ who doted on partner Mel and his daughters

She said the purpose of the GoFundMe is to not only pay for Mr McGinnis’s funeral, but to help provide a trust fund for the girls in their father’s name.

‘That’s all he would have wanted, he would have wanted them to have been taken care of for the future, and to have that time to grieve,’ Ms Walker added.

Mr McGinnis’s family and friends are urging people to get regular health check ups and not to ignore symptoms, in light of how suddenly his health deteriorated.

Ms Walker said: ‘Don’t ignore the smallest thing, just make sure you go to get checked out and appreciate the time you have with family and friends because in a couple of months, it’s completely changed a family’s life.’

The GoFundMe, titled the Chris McGinnis Memorial Fund, has so far raised more than £7,000 of its £10,000 goal since being set up three days ago.

The page reads: ‘We want to do whatever we can to take the financial burden away from Mel and to help give Chris the send off he deserves. 

‘We hope any donations can be used to help pay towards Chris’ funeral costs and to provide a trust fund for Chris’ daughters who are only three and one – just babies who will grow up without their daddy who they both adored.’ 

Mr McGinnis’s funeral will at Bramcote Crematorium. A date is yet to be decided. 

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