2 days ago
Hearts Break at What Dad With Brain Cancer Sends His Daughter Every Day
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A father's daily act of love has left internet viewers emotional after his daughter shared the touching messages he sends her every morning, despite undergoing treatment for an aggressive brain tumor.
Jessica Smallwood (@jesssmallwooddd), a 23-year-old hairdresser from Manchester in the U.K., posted a video on TikTok; it features the heartfelt "good morning beautiful" texts and selfies that her father, 62-year-old retired police officer Graham Fox, has sent her every day since his diagnosis.
The clip quickly struck a chord online, amassing more than 100,000 likes and over 658,000 views.
"Mine and my dad's relationship has always been up and down, but he has been the best dad to me and the best dad I could ask for," Smallwood told Newsweek. "We have all helped each other get through this. I would say mine and my dad's relationship has become something so precious. He is literally the most inspirational person in my life and the most positive person."
A split image showing Graham Fox's smiley morning messages to his daughter.
A split image showing Graham Fox's smiley morning messages to his daughter.
@jesssmallwooddd/@jesssmallwooddd
Smallwood said that her father's health scare began on March 27, when he experienced a sudden loss of speech during his usual morning dog walk.
Initially believed to be a stroke, he was rushed to Salford Royal Hospital, where scans revealed a growth on his brain. Doctors were almost certain it was cancerous due to its shape; after further testing, he was diagnosed with a Grade 4 malignant glioblastoma—an aggressive and typically terminal brain cancer.
Following consultations with his medical team, Fox joined a pioneering clinical trial at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust in Manchester, led by Dr. Gerben Borst. The trial involves a device called Optune, a portable, wearable system that delivers tumor-treating fields (TTFields) to interfere with the division of cancer cells in the brain. In a first-of-its-kind approach, Fox became one of the first patients in the U.K. to use the Optune device both before and after surgery.
"As he said to me, 'if it helps people in the future, I'm up for anything,'" Smallwood said.
Just under two weeks later, Fox underwent successful surgery at Salford Royal, with surgeons removing approximately 98 percent of the tumor. Since then, he has been undergoing radiotherapy five days a week at The Christie and receiving chemotherapy when his health allows. Smallwood said that the chemotherapy has been occasionally interrupted due to health issues such as chest infections, but radiotherapy remains consistent.
Smallwood said she remembers sitting in the hospital that fateful day, feeling her world shift: "That's the day my dad's life changed, as well as all my family's." She described their close-knit unit, including her stepmother Jane, brothers Lewis and Cole, sister-in-law Beth, her three nephews—Ethan, George, Alfie—and another on the way, as well as other family members who continue to rally around her father.
A split image showing Jessica and Graham hugging and a morning selfie Graham took in front of a rose plant.
A split image showing Jessica and Graham hugging and a morning selfie Graham took in front of a rose plant.
@jesssmallwooddd/@jesssmallwooddd
Despite the difficult prognosis—doctors told the family the typical life expectancy with this type of cancer is around two years—Fox's resilience shines through in his daily texts. Smallwood said the selfies and messages started after that sobering consultation and haven't stopped since.
"I literally get one every morning; sometimes, even a good-evening one," she said. "The real reason I love that he does this is not only so I can see him smiling every day, but it's so I have pictures to show my nephew in the future and show him that 'granddad never stopped smiling through the difficult times.'"
Smallwood added that her father often sends the photos when he wakes up early, as he now struggles to sleep and usually only manages three or four hours a night.
In a heartfelt gesture of support, Smallwood also raised £1,200 for The Christie's charity by participating in the AJ Bell Great Run—despite having never run before. "I thought, if I can do this and raise some money, I have to do it for my dad."
The TikTok video struck a deep chord with viewers, many of whom shared their own stories of loss, hope, and solidarity in the comments.
"He loves you so much it's beautiful," one person wrote.
Another, Robyn Kelly, shared: "Bless him, he is so cute! I lost my Dad to a Glioblastoma Brain Tumor in 2018. Please hug your Dad for me, I hope he makes a full and quick recovery!"
"What a heartbreaking but also beautiful video. Your dad is a great man and I wish him, and you all, nothing but the absolute best the world can offer. May he speedily recover," said a third commenter.
Others praised Graham's positivity, calling him "an incredible man" and "a gentle soul."
Smallwood expressed deep gratitude for the medical care her father has received from the British National Health Service, including Sue, a representative from Novocure (the company behind Optune), and Dr. Pietro D'Urso, the surgeon at Salford Royal who operated on her dad.
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