Irish man at centre of online campaign passes away

Online appeal raised over €80,000 for the family of terminal cancer patient, Ronan Winter.

Ronan Winter, the terminal cancer patient who was the focus of a viral online appeal, passed away at his home in California on Saturday.

In a moving statement posted on the fundraising page for the Winter family, Ronan’s wife, Diane, wrote about their last day together.

"On Saturday, May 10, 2014, we spent the day listening to music, talking about the past and dreaming of the future. We held hands, my husband and I. I told him I loved him and stroked his hair. I sat silently and contemplated our life together.

As the evening wore on, I left the room for a moment and when I walked back in, my soul mate, the love of my life, Ronan, passed away gently in his sleep".

Ronan, who is originally from Dublin, was diagnosed last December with Stage IV oesophageal cancer. Two months ago, he suffered a stroke which left him unable to eat or speak.

Ronan’s story came to light after his niece, Courtney Russell, shared photos of Ronan and his family to Imgur, detailing his battle with cancer and the financial impact it has had on his family. She also linked to the fundraising page set up by family friend, Michelle Nagelvoort. Since the story went viral last week, they have raised over €80,000.

The money raised will go towards paying Ronan's medical bills and into a college fund for his two daughters, Keelan and Keara.

Diane ended her statement with this moving message.

“May your journey be swift and smooth, honey, and, as you always say,

"May the road rise to meet you,

May the wind be always at your back.

May the sun shine warm upon your face,

The rains fall soft upon your fields.

And until we meet again,

May God hold you in the palm of his hand.."