Inside Ipswich dad Neil Johns’ heartbreaking terminal cancer battle

An Ipswich father of three young daughters has been left reeling this week after he discovered he may only have six months left with them.

Neil Johns with his family - his partner Melissa and children Isabella, Lily and Madison. Picture: Supplied

An Ipswich dad thought he had won his tireless cancer battle – only to learn the disease had not only returned, but was now terminal.

On March 1, Neil Johns was told he may have only six months left to live.

Mr Johns is a beloved husband to Melissa and father to Isabella,3, Lily, 7, and Madison, 10.

Friend of the family Matt Joseph said Mr Johns had been to hell and back in 2021 after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

He underwent surgery to remove his gallbladder, bile ducts, pancreas, half his stomach and duodenum.

Due to complications, Mr Johns spent 36 days in the intensive care unit and three months in the hospital ward.

It took another six months for him to recover, which Mr Joseph said had left the family “completely out of money”.

But at that time they still had hope.

“We thought he’d won the battle,” Mr Joseph explained.

In February, however, Mr Johns learned the cancer had spread to his lymph nodes. Then earlier this week, he learned it had spread to his liver.

“Due to the extremely rare form of cancer, the doctors have next to no information on it and no way to treat it,” Mr Joseph said.

“They say he could have six months left.”

Mr Joseph asked the community to help donate if they could, to “try to ease the burden for this lovely family”.

“Neil and Mel have always been the people anyone could turn to for help and advice, and now it’s time we returned the favour,” he said.

The community has already raised almost half of the $10,000 goal.

“Enjoy every bit of life for as long as you can,” one donator commented.

“Take lots of videos with your girls so they remember what an amazing father they had.”

Donations can be made to the family here.