Dad who is battling terminal illness shows what fatherhood really means: 'He's trying...'
Being a good dad isn’t about grand gestures. It’s in the ordinary moments, the packed lunches, the bedtime routines. It’s in showing up, over and over again, even when life makes it hard to. For daughters especially, the bond with their father often becomes one of the first templates of love, trust, and protection. And sometimes, even under the most difficult circumstances, that bond continues to shine the brightest.
That’s exactly what one TikTok video is showing the world. Gary, a father who has been battling stage IV liver cancer for four years, has become a mirror of that kind of strength. His wife, Kayla, who posts under the handle @kaylafaber7, regularly shares moments from their family life, and recently, one video in particular hit the right chords, drawing nearly 9 million views. The montage shows Gary doing what he loves most, being present for his daughter. He’s seen pushing her on swings at the park, going for walks, playing dress-up, and even cosplaying, all while undergoing treatment for a disease that can take everything out of a person. But Gary still shows up. For her. Every day.
The images speak for themselves: a dad giving his all, soaking in every second with his child, holding on to joy despite the battle he’s fighting. People in the comments were deeply moved by Gary’s story and the quiet love he shows his daughter. One user, @southerngals615, wrote: “God help him, please, bring him through this for his babies.” Another, simply going by @pop, said: “Sending you love and strength.” And @starra35 added: “He really is a great dad. You are also a great mom and wife. Sending prayers to Gary and the family.”
Being a parent while undergoing cancer treatment is an immense emotional and physical challenge, especially when children are still young and dependent. Parents facing cancer often derive measurable psychological benefit from close interaction with their children. A 2024 scoping review in Cancers highlights that therapeutic parent-child communication, marked by openness, validation, eye contact, and physical proximity, is strongly linked to reduced distress, fewer trauma symptoms, and greater emotional resilience for both parent and child. While most studies assessed psychological rather than physical health outcomes, the evidence shows that more cohesive family communication leads to stronger coping, better mental well-being, and relational adjustment throughout illness.
Direct engagement in caregiving and shared moments plays a powerful supportive role as well. Research into parent-child interaction during cancer-related treatments found that caring behaviors, both verbal and nonverbal, significantly reduced children’s distress during medical procedures, which in turn eased parental anxiety. In broader studies of families with a parent battling cancer, those with higher involvement, consistent routines, and emotional connection reported better family adaptation and reduced psychological strain. Experts agree that these everyday acts, like playing in the park, dressing up, or laughing together, can become stabilizing forces for children, helping them build emotional resilience and trust, even in uncertain times.
To follow the journey of Gary, you can find them on TikTok as @kaylafaber7!