Talented athlete, 21, fell ill at the gym and contracted testicular cancer that had spread to his brain and lungs – three days later he was dead
- After becoming unwell at the gym, doctors discovered bleeding in Daniel Donnan’s brain
- The 21-year-old was diagnosed with testicular cancer and died three days later
A talented 21-year-old bowler was diagnosed with testicular cancer after falling ill on a gym treadmill and dying in hospital just three days later.
Daniel Donnan was hospitalized after he started feeling unwell during a workout last Thursday and was notified of his condition – which had spread to his brain and lungs – a day later.
Friends of Daniel report that he texted them saying he was feeling well on Friday night in hospital – shortly before the sportsman from Co Down, Northern Ireland, died Monday surrounded by his family.
They are now trying to raise cancer awareness in young men, reports BelfastLive.
In a speech after his brother’s death, Curtis Donnan described how Daniel had suddenly become unwell.
He said, “Daniel was at the gym and started losing strength on the right side of his body after getting off the treadmill.
Daniel Donnan fell ill at the gym and was diagnosed with cancer the next day
Tragically, the talented bowler died in hospital just three days later
He felt his body changing and was rushed to Ulster Hospital where they did a scan of his brain which showed there was bleeding.
“Daniel had an MRI on Friday and then had a CT scan and ultrasound. He was diagnosed on Friday night and we lost him on Monday.
“We would like to thank the doctors and nurses at Ulster Hospital and also at the cancer ward at City Hospital.”
In tribute to his brother, Curtis continued: ‘He was a big foodie who loved cafes and restaurants all over Belfast, but especially The Yogurt Tree in Bangor, one of his favorite places.
“He loved to taste different foods and he was loved by his family and his friends.”
Daniel had excelled as a bowler, winning numerous titles with his local bowling club, including the Under 25 runner-up in the Northern Ireland Bowling Association in 2018.
Speaking to the newsletter, Bangor Bowling Club secretary Thomas Cannavan explained how suddenly the illness had come on.
He said, “Daniel was working out at the gym a few days ago and felt faint after his workout and sat down.
“Suddenly he wasn’t feeling well on one side of his body, so they took him to Ulster Hospital.
“Two days ago we were told he had a cerebral hemorrhage. He told us on WhatsApp that he felt a lot better that night and that he was looking forward to the season and joking with us as usual.
“But the next day he got the terrible news that he had testicular cancer and it had spread to his brain and lungs.
“They were going to move him the next day and that’s when they realized how bad it was that it was unsafe to move him. They were supposed to try emergency chemotherapy, but it was just too late.”