Danny Miles: Kisumu cáncer patient passes on months after passionate appeal to Safaricom

By , K24 Digital
On Wed, 22 Mar, 2023 09:30 | 2 mins read
Danny Miles: Kisumu cáncer patient passes on months after passionate appeal to Safaricom
Collage of Maurice Ochieng, popularly known as Danny Miles, who died on March 21, 2023, after a long battle with cancer. PHOTOS/Danny Miles/Facebook

Maurice Ochieng, popularly known as Danny Miles, the cancer patient from Kisumu who went viral after making a passionate appeal to Safaricom seeking help in raising his daughter, has passed on.

Miles, who hailed from Muhoroni, died on Tuesday, March 21, after a long battle with soft tissue sarcoma, a rare type of cancer that affects the tissues that connect, support and surround other body structures.

The deceased’s wife Florence Odege confirmed the news on Wednesday morning, saying her husband passed on in her hands on Tuesday night at 9:55 pm.

The deceased touched the hearts of many Kenyans in January this year after posting a heart-wrenching message on Safaricom’s Facebook page seeking help to support his family.

In the post dated January 19, 2023, Miles said he was diagnosed with cancer in March 2022 and had spent all his savings on medication.

With his left hand amputated and the cancer fast metastasising, Miles said he was unable to fend for his family and relied on friends for daily bread.

The 24-year-old narrated that he hoped to take the family on a vacation and also take his young daughter to school but he could not afford it.

He pleaded with the telco to treat the family to a "once-in-a-lifetime ride" as he felt his last day on earth was drawing closer.

“I had been saving so that I take my small family to a vacation but I have been drained I can’t. I am living with the help of friends. My young daughter Britney Dova is still young she has not started school yet I was planning but I am sorry I have failed as a dad,” Miles wrote.

"(I) Had my left arm chopped off but still cancer metastasis. I am appealing to you just help my daughter once I am gone because I can feel it... Or maybe treat us to a once-in-a-lifetime ride I will appreciate it so much."

Speaking to a local news outlet, Miles' wife intimated that Safaricom never returned her husband's call and the family has been relying on donations from well-wishers to put a meal on the table and medication because the deceased was the sole breadwinner.

“Safaricom never responded. It was really difficult (when Danny got sick). I only survived from the help of wellwishers who catered for his treatment and daily needs,” Florence said.

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