Comedian Rob Delaney revealed that his young son sadly died in January after battling a brain tumor.
The Catastrophe actor shared the heartbreaking news about his 2-year-old Henry’s passing in a Facebook post on Friday, February 9. “I have very sad news,” he wrote. “My two and a half-year-old son Henry has passed away.”
Delaney, 41, gave his followers some background information about his son’s health battle, writing: “Henry had been diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2016, shortly after his first birthday, following persistent vomiting and weight loss.” The toddler then underwent surgery to remove the tumor and began further treatment in the beginning of 2017.
“The cancer returned last autumn and he died in January,” Delaney revealed.
The writer also reflected on Henry’s life in the message. “Henry was a joy. He was smart, funny, and mischievous and we had so many wonderful adventures together, particularly after he’d moved home following fifteen months living in hospitals,” he wrote. “His tumor and surgery left him with significant physical disabilities, but he quickly learned sign language and developed his own method of getting from A to B shuffling on his beautiful little bum. His drive to live and to love and to connect was profound.”
Delaney shared that he, his wife, Leah, and his two other sons are “devastated” after losing Henry, but said he’d be focusing on them to deal with his grief. “I am astonished by the love-in-action displayed by Henry’s mom and his brothers,” he wrote. “They are why I will endeavor to not go mad with grief. I don’t want to miss out on their beautiful lives. I’m greedy for more experiences with them.”
The actor also gave credit to the people of the National Health Services in England who helped care for his child during treatment. “The NHS nurses and doctors and the home carers and charity workers who helped our family survive Henry’s illness will be my heroes until the day I die,” he wrote. “I am desperately sad right now, but I can say with authority that there is good in this world.”
Delaney included two links for the Rainbow Trust and Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice so that his followers could help other families with sick children. “Please make a donation,” he asked. “In Henry’s name or in the name of someone you love. Our family would be in much worse shape right now if it weren’t for them. I would also urge you to take concrete and sustained action to support the NHS, however you can. Do not take it for granted.”
“Finally, I ask that you respect my family’s privacy regarding this matter,” the Emmy-nominated writer added. “I have nothing else to say that I haven’t said here.”
He concluded the post with a message to his late child: “Thank you, beautiful Henry, for spending as much time with us as you did. We miss you so much.”
