In October 2018, Alex Lynam passed away aged just 24. It was just six months after he was diagnosed with an extremely rare form of cancer called NUT Midline Carcinoma.

Alex had started to experience pains in his head. He initially assumed it was a result of stress and long hours as it was around the same time he started working as a commis chef while in his final year of Culinary Arts. The hospital struggled to diagnosis the illness and within two weeks of going for an MRI, Alex had lost the sight in his right eye.

 “He was misdiagnosed a few times because what he had was so rare.”

Alex’s sister Hayley explained that there are less than 30 cases a year of this type of cancer in the United States. It is so rare in Ireland that Irish hospitals do not even have the lab experience to diagnose it. As a result, Alex’s diagnosis eventually came from the United States.

“He knew the odds”

While it was never said there was no hope for Alex, he knew that at the time of his diagnosis, there was only one person alive who had beaten this particular type of cancer.

Alex pictured with Nile Rodgers, and girlfriend Jill

Word of Alex’s story reached Nile Rodgers of Chic, a two-time cancer survivor. Rogers visited Alex in Beaumont Hospital and the pair kept in touch — with Rogers bringing Alex and his family on stage at Electric Picnic.

Alex lost his short battle with the aggressive cancer in St. Clare’s Oncology ward in Beaumont Hospital on October 5th 2018 . Alex's family are now raising money for the ward that he was in during his time at Beaumont and you can donate here.

“It’s quite a small room but it is the centre of your whole world when you’re there."

Pat Kenny spoke to Alex's sister Hayley and his girlfriend Jill about the experience, you can listen to the full interview here: