A devoted dad who lived for his family found it come crashing down around him after a diagnosis of a rare type of cancer.
Hugh McIvor was diagnosed with bile duct cancer in September 2019 when he was 69-years-old.
Hugh's diagnosis became even more heartbreaking for him and his family when he was told that his cancer was inoperable and terminal.
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Left with two options, Hugh was told that he could have no treatment, where he would have on average four months to live, or have the treatment and double his survival time.
The Derry man chose to start treatment and even then he was more worried about his wife and daughter Patricia who had additional needs.
His daughter, Kerry Robinson, said her father was an "absolute gentleman" and was "most happy when his family were OK".
She said: "His four grandchildren totally adored him, he was the granda who built sandpits, taught them all about his garden and pulled them on his sleigh in the snow.
"The Foyle Hospice nurses became involved with my Daddy straight after his diagnosis, through their Community Palliative Care Team.
"The nurses were amazing, nothing was any problem for them, they sorted anything that was needed.
"They were a huge support to us as a family too. I remember phoning one of his nurses a couple of weeks before my Daddy passed away.
"His nurse was totally honest but supportive about what would happen within the next few weeks. With the support from the Foyle Hospice, my daddy passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his family."
After her father's passing, Kerry and her family took part in the hospices' Healing Hearts Children and Young Person Bereavement Support Service.
"The Healing Hearts service is something that I did not know about but I will be eternally grateful for," Kerry added.
"My daughters were nine and 12 when their granda passed away. The eldest girl has down syndrome and I worried about how to explain what was happening to both of my girls.
"It was my dad's nurse who asked him while he was ill if any of his grandchildren could maybe benefit from the service. He said that he would worry about my nine-year-old daughter, who was very close to her granda.
"I was then contacted by Michelle Kosky from the Healing Hearts service. Words will never be able to express how grateful I am for the support that Michelle has given to our family.
"Ten months after my daddy passed away, we also lost my beloved sister Patricia. Michelle worked with my daughter and helped support her through a very scary time."
On June 12, Kerry will be taking part in the Foyle Hospice Female Walk with her mother, sister and daughters in memory of her late father and to raise money for the local hospice.
Kerry's dad Hugh was a great supporter of the Foyle Hospice and she had decided to carry on his legacy by becoming a Foyle Hospice Weekly Draw Promotor.
She continued: "I will be taking part in the walk, together with my mum, sister and my two girls. As a family we owe the Foyle Hospice so much, we will forever be thankful for their support and care."
The annual walks tradition will continue this year with a bright, fun t-shirt that will put the fun back into fundraising.
You can sign up for the female walk in the Foyle Hospice's fundraising office or online HERE.
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