A popular dad-of-three has described the struggle of knowing his life now has a "time limit" after he was diagnosed with kidney cancer. Danny Morgan, 46, who now lives in Bulwell but grew up in The Meadows, is well-known having played for many local football sides including Poets Young Boys.
The former support worker received the diagnosis in October 2021 and has since been receiving treatment, currently undergoing immunotherapy. He is a few weeks into the treatment and is hoping this can extend his life expectancy so he can spend more time with his family and friends.
Money is now being raised to help Mr Morgan with the treatment and make sure his family, including his three sons - aged 23, 19 and 18 - are looked after once he has passed away. He has always had a love of football and often goes to watch Nottingham Forest and Notts County. He also follows Liverpool.
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He said: "They told me that if the treatment works it gives me more time, possibly five years or more. Mentally it's been very, very difficult in terms of getting used to it and having those thoughts of passing away. The biggest thing is knowing I've been given a time limit - it's really, really hard to live with that.
"That's the hardest things and I don't think I'll ever fully get used to that, but I've just been trying to find ways to deal with it. Every day is a struggle. Getting up and trying to do something can be hard but I have good days and bad days."
Mr Morgan has been suffering from side effects from the treatment, which has led to him having a panic attack which he initially thought could have been a stroke. An online fundraising page was set up without his knowledge and has since raised nearly £5,000.
Anyone who donates £10 is in with a chance of winning prizes such as a signed Nottingham Forest or Notts County shirt, as well as a signed Forest football. A charity tournament is also being organised.
Mr Morgan continued: "I was asked if I wanted to do something like that [a fundraiser] and I said 'no', then my friends went and did it behind my back which was very annoying, but it has also been a massive help. I was worried about funeral costs and they just wanted to make it so I wouldn't have to worry about my children and them having to worry about funeral costs.
"They just wanted to get rid of that worry for me. It's been great but, honestly, 5,000 messages of support would mean more to me than £5,000."
A statement on the GoFundMe page, set up by his friend Jay Kirk, states: "Although a well-liked and respected individual, not many know that Danny is currently putting together a team to fight his kidney cancer. Danny has been given a time limit but is wanting to his take his time to extra time and penalties, if possible, so please join us to be on Danny's team to fight against the team of cancer.
"Danny has reluctantly agreed to let me do this to help ease the stress of what he’s going through currently and, true to Danny’s character, his concerns are not for himself but for his family." Anyone who would like to donate should click here.
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