NEED TO KNOW
Dean Franklin died at the age of 36 on Saturday, Feb. 7, according to his mother, Marie
Franklin, a former contestant on The Voice UK, was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer in December
Before his death, the singer-songwriter set up a fundraiser in the hopes of supporting his daughter
Dean Franklin, a former contestant onThe Voice UK, has died just weeks after he was diagnosed with stage 4 oesophageal cancer. He was 36.
The singer-songwriter, from London, died on Saturday, Feb. 7, his mother Marie confirmed in aFacebook post.
"As a family, we are truly heartbroken to announce that our precious boy, Dean Franklin who fought so courageously over 8 weeks and 3 days passed over at 21.39pm last night," Marie wrote on Feb. 8, alongside a photo of Franklin in a hospital bed. "He was surrounded by love."
She continued, "I have been getting MSG's from people this morning and wanted as his ma to manifest my son's courage to share with you all. As a family, we will post in more length when we are able."
"Until then, please know that the love you gave to our Dean and all of us has meant so very much 🙏🏼❤️," Marie concluded.
Franklin revealed to fans that he had been diagnosed with cancer in an emotional video shared onInstagramin December. The father of one routinely posted health updates in the weeks after, with the last shared on Jan. 30.
"Over the last few weeks, my life has changed very fast," said Franklin onInstagramat the time. "What started as esophageal cancer ended up spreading aggressively to my liver and weirdly, I had almost no symptoms from the oesophagus itself."
Having then candidly described his health challenges, he continued, "Sometimes cancer doesn't shout where it starts. Sometimes it whispers and shows itself somewhere else."
"Right now, I'm in palliative care while still continuing treatment. I've chosen to keep fighting with chemo even though it has been incredibly tough," said Franklin. "Some days have been harder than others, especially the nighttime."
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He concluded by expressing gratitude for everyone supporting him, saying, "Every bit of love, I feel every single piece of it.
"If there's one thing that I'd ask is please listen to your body, push for answers, don't ignore changes and early checks really, really do matter," said Franklin.
Dean Franklin/Facebook
The street performer impressed the judges during theblind auditionsof the 2016 season ofThe Voice UK, leadingPaloma Faithto mentor him.
"You are so brave xxx," Faith, 44, commented on a Jan. 25 health update he shared onInstagram.
AGoFundMepage Franklin set up before his death has almost achieved its $48,000 goal. The singer wrote in the fundraiser's description that he needed financial support while unable to work because of his cancer treatment and to support his daughter.
"This is not about giving up. It is about giving me peace of mind," Franklin wrote. "Knowing that my daughter will be supported, and that practical worries will not take away from the time I have now."
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