An Irish family has been left devastated after their son was diagnosed with cancer.
Garreth Blout, 22, was given the heart-wrenching news shortly after his 21st birthday, and his family say his quality of life has "deteriorated at an alarming rate."
The Cork native is now relying on expensive private treatment to prolong his life.
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After being diagnosed with oesophageal cancer, Garreth underwent surgery to remove a tumour just one year after his father passed away following a battle with cancer, reports Cork Beo.
Now three months on, the cancer has spread, and Garreth is terminally ill.
In a social media post, the young man said doctors have had him "written off since day one."
His brother Jordan says Garreth has been "dealt a bad hand" all through his life.
"After entering the world with being dealt a bad hand, Garreth was born five months premature and spent an extensive amount of time in an incubator," he said.
"Doctors told our mother that he wouldn't make it through and we should leave it at that, but we chose to fight, the same way he did, and he went on to live and surpass all doctor's recommendations and expectations."
Years later, Garreth defied all odds becoming an active member of the Cork basketball scene, playing across the country. He has also committed to voluntary work, including coaching in schools across the city and at midterm and summer camps.
Jordan said his little brother has an "infectious personality" and has "touched everybody wherever he went."
After a bout of chemotherapy and surgery to remove a tumour, the family were assured by doctors that they had gotten the tumour out.
However, Jordan added that the family "were warned if it were to come back, this type of cancer is very aggressive."
Now nearly three months post-operation, a scan has revealed Garreth has cancer in his abdomen, pelvic area, lining of his lungs and his lymph nodes. Surgery is not an option this time around.
Jordan said: "The only option been given to Garreth to prolong his life is chemotherapy paired with immunotherapy,
"Unfortunately, immunotherapy is privatised and not available to dispense to patients who desperately need it. The cost of each dose of this is €7,000, of which he needs 12 doses, bringing it to €84,000," he said.
"Without treatment, we have been informed that his life expectancy is 3-4 months.
"With it, past a year, and as we know from Garreth's early life, a year is not something he is going to accept, and he will do everything to beat expectations once again."
Jordan said he is "in shambles."
"I lost my best friend, my father, only two years ago," he said, "I am not ready to lose my little brother."
Jordan has set up a GoFundMe page for his little brother in the hopes to "prolong his life as long as possible, and if we can get one more day than what's been given, our goal has been achieved,
"I am fundraising on behalf of my little brother to extend his life with life prolonging treatment, to cover all of his care needs and make some final memories."
Donations have been flowing in, with over €10,000 donated by generous people in the fundraiser's first two hours. You can visit the GoFundMe campaign here.
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