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'Hero' Rhys Langford dies of cancer but donates life savings to save 6-year-old child

The courageous 19-year-old teen died from cancer but donated more than $81K for little Jacob's neuroblastoma treatment

A courageous teen, Rhys Langford, a 19-year-old osteosarcoma patient, has donated his entire life savings along with an additional £60,000 ($81,419) raised in funds to help another cancer patient. Langford, who died on Tuesday, February 8, had read about Jacob Jones, a six-year-old neuroblastoma patient, and given £1,000 ($1356) for his treatment initially. He underwent 16 months of chemotherapy himself, but his cancer reappeared. Once he knew that his illness was terminal, Langford began fundraising for little Jacob Jones. 

Jones was diagnosed with neuroblastoma and had been cancer-free for a year before his family saw suspicious tumors earlier this month. On hearing this story, Rhys immediately planned to donate and raise funds on GoFundMe along with his family. Catherine Langford, 38, the mother of Rhys recalled and said, “Rhys found the story of little Jacob. He called me upstairs and he was crying in bed reading the story. He said, 'Mum, I want to donate some money to him. He’s six years of age and he’s been ill since he was two. I’d be over the moon if someone would save him.' I couldn’t believe he was thinking about someone else when he’s on death’s door himself.” Surprisingly, Rhys and Jacob are both from the town of Ebbw Vale in South Wales, but they had never met before. When Rhys posted about Jacob's situation on the fundraising site, donations poured in quickly, which now, after his death, is giving life to little Jacob. 

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On Tuesday, February 8, around 7 pm, Rhys gave up his fight and died peacefully at home. After this heartbreaking moment, Catherine wrote on Facebook saying, "My warrior, my hero, my son, my baby, has given up his fight. He lay down his sword and died peacefully at home with all his family around him, he closed his eyes for the last time at around 7 pm yesterday evening. We are heartbroken my life will never be the same again a part of me has died also. He battled a long hard fight." This message moved all the supporters of Rhys to tears and the tributes have been pouring in ever since.

Rhys was a black belt in martial arts at Krav Maga and he was always active and enthusiastic. His sudden fatal illness didn’t put him down. Instead, he strived to help Jacob Jones. Rhys even wrote on the fundraising page saying, “I know nothing can be done for me now but as one of my many last wishes, I would like to help Jacob and help him fight this awful disease. I know what the treatments and awful drugs does to your body! It’s hell. Jacob is now six and has been fighting this disease most of his life. It should not be this way!” Such a genuinely caring person like him closing his eyes broke the Internet. 

Many people on Twitter are sending lots of tweets as a sendoff. One user tweeted, “RIP Rhys, what a wonderful thing to do with the time he had left. My thoughts are with his family and friends although I’m sure they are very proud”. Moreover, Ebbw Vale Football club has also tweeted with a young picture of Rhys as a tribute. It reads, “💚| RIP RHYS LANGFORD We would like to pass on our sincere, heart felt condolences to Rhys’ family and friends at this really difficult time. Rhys’ remarkable act of kindness in his own time of need has inspired so many. We’re all unbelievably proud to call you one of our own!” Another tweet from Ebbw Vale RFC Youth reads, “A minute silence for Rhys Langford this evening 💔 Rest Easy Buddy 🇭🇺from all at Ebbw Vale RFC🇭🇺”