Dad, 35, dies from rare cancer just SIX days after marrying mother of his two kids

A father died of a rare cancer just six days after marrying the mother of his two children.

Chris McGinnis, from Nottinghamshire, was diagnosed in February with metastatic cholangiocarcinoma, a rare form of bile duct cancer.

Doctors, who discovered the cancer after the father-of-two complained of fatigue, loss of appetite and pain in his lower back, initially gave him 12 months to live.

But after the 35-year-old, who married his 29-year-old partner on May 4, died of the disease less than a week later on May 10.

His family and friends are now urging people to get their health checked and not ignore worrying symptoms.

The 35-year-old, who married his partner Mel, 29, on May 4 (pictured), died of the disease less than a week later on May 10.

Mr. McGinnis went to the doctor in early February this year.

Medics discovered several tumors on his liver, which could not be operated on.

He started chemotherapy to give him another year to live.

However, his family said the benefits of the treatment were limited and the crippling side effects, including fatigue, nausea and hair loss, were severe.

So Mr. McGinnis decided to stop his treatment and in March he was given only months to live.

Family friend of 12 years Natasha Walker, told NottinghamshireLive that Mr. McGinnis was “the funniest, nicest man ever” who adored partner Mel and his daughters.

“It was all about taking care of them and taking care of them,” she said.

“He worked so hard for them. This has come completely out of the blue. The family is devastated.’

Ms Walker said Mr McGinnis struggled to stay active after his diagnosis and spent most of his time on the couch.

She added: “He took the energy out, I have no idea where, for that day [the wedding]. Then it deteriorated very quickly.’

Bile duct cancer is rare, with only about 1,000 people in the UK and 8,000 in the US being diagnosed each year.

In most cases, the disease is a cancer called adenocarcinoma – which begins in the lining of the bile ducts – and, according to Cancer Research UK, there are often no symptoms until the disease is advanced.

Metastasis cholangiocarcinoma is when the cancer has spread beyond the bile duct to lymph nodes or nearby organs. This often renders the disease inoperable.

a GoFundMe page was started in memory of the loving father, to help his daughters Onora, three, and Nuala, one.

Ms Walker said ‘daddy’s girl’ Onora finds it difficult and ‘keeps saying things that break everyone’s heart’.

A GoFundMe page has been started in memory of the loving father to help his daughters Onora, three, and Nuala, one

Family friend of 12 years Natasha Walker, said Mr McGinnis (pictured with Mel) was ‘the funniest, nicest man ever’ who adored partner Mel and his daughters

She said the purpose of the GoFundMe is not only to pay for Mr. McGinnis’ funeral, but also to help set up a trust fund for the girls in their father’s name.

“That’s all he would have wanted, he would have wanted them taken care of for the future and given time to grieve,” Ms Walker added.

Mr McGinnis’ family and friends are urging people to have regular health checks and not ignore the symptoms given the sudden deterioration in his health.

Ms. Walker said, “Don’t ignore the smallest thing, just make sure you check out and appreciate the time you have with family and friends because in just a few months it has completely changed a family’s life.”

Titled the Chris McGinnis Memorial Fund, the GoFundMe has so far raised more than £7,000 of its £10,000 goal since it was launched three days ago.

The page reads, “We want to do what we can to take the financial burden off Mel and give Chris the farewell he deserves.

“We hope all donations can be used to pay for Chris’s funeral expenses and to provide a trust fund for Chris’s daughters who are just three and one – just babies who will grow up without their father they both adored.” ‘

Mr. McGinnis’ funeral will take place at Bramcote Crematorium. A date has yet to be determined.