‘Bring it on’: Beloved Townsville artist Dr Farvardin Daliri reveals devastating cancer diagnosis
An iconic Townsville artist — known for his giant laughing Kookaburra sculpture — has opened up about his grim cancer diagnosis, saying he’s determined not to lose hope in the face of death.
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An iconic Townsville artist — known for his giant laughing Kookaburra sculpture — has opened up about his grim cancer diagnosis, saying he’s determined not to lose hope in the face of death.
Dr Farvardin Daliri OAM says he’s determined not to lose hope in the face of one of the toughest challenges of his life: stage four bowel cancer.
The beloved NQ sculptor — the executive director of the Townsville Intercultural Centre and Townsville Cultural Fest — revealed he’s starting chemotherapy this week in Brisbane after receiving a shock diagnosis on January 9.
“After months of misdiagnosis and mystery, we now know the nature of the challenge God has chosen for me,” he said.
“The “bad cells” have spread from the colon to my liver and lungs, and I am now preparing my body and soul for six months of chemotherapy while under the constant care of my whole family.
“While this has all been very sudden, I remind myself that the universe is not decided. It is constantly existing/not existing … and so my call to the universe in each moment is: Bring it on my friend, and give it all in one go.”
Dr Daliri said the disease had been with him as brought joy to thousands in communties across Queensland driving his 750kg sculpture of a laughing kookaburra from Brisbane to Townsville in 2020.
“I will be standing firm with a smile and with gratitude and will enjoy the experience of this journey,” he said.
“I am ready to stare down a near-death experience with absolute confidence that I am a spiritual being having a temporary physical existence.”
“With my full trust in God, the expertise of the oncology team, the advice of a wonderful naturopath, a wholefoods plant-based diet, and the tireless efforts and love of my wife, children, and children-in-law, I will overcome this test and make a full recovery.”
Dr Daliri, who practised the Baha’i Faith, escaped a regime cracking down on civil freedoms into India as a 19-year-old, where he became a qualified sculptor and painter for 10 years.
He arrived in Australia in 1984 stateless and became a citizen in 1986 before settling in Townsville in 1989.
Dr Daliri was awarded an OAM in 2007 in recognition of his commitment to building harmony and peace in the community, as well as intercultural relations.
Dr Daliri’s family has set up a GoFundMe campaign to support him through his treatment.
The local artist said he “barely made a cent” from his sculptures over the years, often using whatever he got to build his next big project.
You can help here: https://gofund.me/a7f3bd78
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Originally published as ‘Bring it on’: Beloved Townsville artist Dr Farvardin Daliri reveals devastating cancer diagnosis
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