Father Dying From Cancer Raises Funds to Look After His Family
A Pennsylvania husband and father who is dying from neuroendocrine pancreatic cancer is seeking help from the world to look after his family after his death.
Kenneth McHugh, a businessman who has been fighting the disease for about five years, started a GoFundMe account in August.
Titled "Dying Dad's wish for his 4 Kids," as of Friday morning the project has raised over $35,000 from 277 people.
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"As I prepare to leave this world, I, most importantly, want to leave my children with good memories of a father who loved them dearly," wrote McHugh on the GoFundMe page.
"So, I humbly ask you, if you can help me help my children to afford an education they are deserving of. I would be forever grateful. My wife would be forever thankful."
Diagnosed in 2010, McHugh was told earlier this year that at-most he has two years left to live.
"I feel guilty to even dare to ask for any help and only my wife knows I'm doing this. I think of others and how they have it much worse than we do and I feel I don't deserve more," he continued.
"There are times I just think it would be less of a burden on my wife, my children, on everyone, if I just stopped taking the medicine and allowed myself to die quicker. It certainly would reduce the expenses — but with each milestone I'm granted to be a part of in my children's lives, the greater my will to live grows."
Since McHugh does not expect to live to see their wedding days, a local charity helped organize a "family wedding" so that he could walk his four children down the aisle.
Held last weekend, the event featured McHugh walking each of his children down the aisle, with a clergywoman overseeing the event.
Also included was a renewal of vows between McHugh and his wife Tammy, who have been married for 20 years.
McHugh's wife told ABC News that Ken's "ultimate last wish was to walk his children, especially his girls, down the aisle and he did it."
"I was surprised myself that we were able to find and experience the joy of the day," continued Tammy. "No one said the word 'cancer.'"
