Dad, 33, celebrates early Christmas with newborn son after worst prognosis

A young dad has celebrated Christmas early after being diagnosed with terminal cancer just weeks after the birth of his first child.

Dan Kettle and wife Bethan welcomed baby Rex in March after getting married in June 2024. But Dan, 33, has now been told he has stage 4b oesophageal cancer.

A scan in September showed that the tumours had spread and doctors advised him to stop treatment and focus on enjoying time with his family. They celebrated Christmas last Saturday to make sure Rex could share the big day with his dad. Bethan’s sister Christine Elkins said: “They always say it happens to the best people, but Dan truly is one of the best people.

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“There’s not a lot he wouldn't have done for somebody else - he’s incredibly sincere and loving. We feel we were so blessed to have him join our family. The strength and courage he has shown over the last six months is a true testimony to his character. He continues to face everything with such bravery, and we are in absolute awe of him.”

Dan, who worked as a plumbing and heating engineer, visited the doctors in April after becoming concerned by weight loss and issues with swallowing. An endoscopy and further scans confirmed a tumour on his oesophagus which has made eating and taking medication increasingly difficult.

He has urged anyone with similar symptoms - weight loss, difficulty swallowing and fatigue - to see a doctor as early detection increases the chances of survival. ⁠”It is incredibly uncommon for someone of Dan’s age to get oesophageal cancer, but given his age and fitness level, they thought there was a good chance that he could withstand the chemotherapy and immunotherapy,” Christine said. “We did a lot of research into what else we could do to help Dan because we didn't want to just rely on chemotherapy.”

Despite seeking out private treatment to try and extend his life, treatment took its toll with Dan spending increasingly more and more time in hospital. The family, from Oakham, Rutland, are now focused on spending time together and launched a crowdfunding appeal to allow them to make memories in the time they have left.

“We have been blown away by the kindness of many people we know, and also by many that we don't know at all who were touched by their story,” Christine added. “They are like a silent hand holding our hand. It has made all of us feel not quite so alone.”

Dan’s wife Bethan also thanked supporters in a post on the crowdfunding page. “The kindness, generosity and love shown to our family over the past week has been truly overwhelming,” she said. “Every message, donation and act of support has brought us so much comfort during this incredibly difficult time. Because of you, we’re able to focus on making special memories together as a family.”

The donations have already helped the couple revisit the Kimpton Fitzroy Hotel, in London, where they held their wedding reception last June, and spend a night at Hambleton Hall. They were also gifted the use of a family’s Rutland Water holiday home at Normanton.

Christine also wants the donations to provide future security for Bethan and Rex while they come to terms with a much changed life.

“Their story was just beginning and it’s been cut short,” she said. “But I'm hoping we can still manage to get a few more memories in.”

If you would like to donate, visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/memories-for-dan-bethan-and-rex