http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfZMyHpmhJU&feature=player_embedded
Sydney man Kristian Anderson, made famous by a Youtube tribute
to his wife after he was diagnosed with terminal bowel cancer, has
died.
His wife Rachael confirmed Mr Anderson died just after 8am
(AEST) on Monday at Manly Hospital.
"My darling husband went to meet Jesus this morning. It was
peaceful and beautiful. Funeral details to come soon," she posted
on his Twitter account.
The 36-year-old from Curl Curl had been having chemotherapy
since he was diagnosed with cancer in October 2009.
His touching Youtube clip was made as a birthday present for his
wife and as a thank you for her support.
It featured an introduction by New Zealand Prime Minster John
Key, because Rachel is a Kiwi. Movie star Hugh Jackman also
appeared in the video after Mr Anderson asked Triple M presenter
Gus Worland for assistance.
The clip had Mr Anderson holding up placards with words of love
and support for his wife against the song Marry Me, by Train. The
clip has been viewed more than 65,000 times and even US talkshow
queen Oprah Winfrey became a fan.
Winfrey gave the couple $250,000 for medical expenses when she
hosted an episode of her show at the Sydney Opera House in January
last year.
In his last interview, Mr Anderson told the Daily Telegraph of
his love for his wife and their sons Cody, 5, and Jakob, 3.
"I’m not afraid of dying but I am afraid of leaving them
behind," he said in early December.
In his last entry on his blog How the light gets in, posted by
his wife after his death, Mr Anderson reflected on his battle with
cancer.
"The truth being we’re all broken, we’re all cracked and what so
many people see as a fault or a malfunction really is something to
be considered useful," he wrote.
"I’m not sure how much longer I have left but it appears that
the physical and medical signs are all pointing to my end.
"Thank you for journeying with me this far. I pray you find the
same peace I have."
Bowel Cancer Australia spokesman associate professor Graham
Newstead said Mr Anderson’s battle with bowel cancer touched tens
of thousands of people.
"Like many people who in some way shared this young man’s
journey, those involved with Bowel Cancer Australia are saddened by
the death of Kristian Anderson," professor Newstead said in a
statement.
"We are however also very grateful to him for his brave and
valuable work in raising awareness about bowel cancer."
The disease kills about 4,000 Australians each year.