A Scots dad battling skin cancer for the fourth time says he 'doesn't want to die like Celtic's Tommy Burns' as his family launch a desperate fundraiser for life-saving treatment.
Celtic fan Desi Mcilroy, from Gartcosh, North Lanarkshire, was diagnosed with malignant melanomas for the fourth time in four years just weeks ago.
The 66-year-old was then given the devastating news that his skin cancer had not only returned, but had spread to his liver and lungs.
NHS medics have advised there is nothing more they can do to help him.
The retired courier driver is now desperate to have another round of immunotherapy as a last ditch attempt to beat cancer and save his life.
A fundraiser has been launched with a goal of £12,000 which will allow him to be treated privately as part of clinical trials.
Desi was previously part of an NHS clinical trial of TIL (tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte) Therapy, a type of immunotherapy that uses tumour cells to destroy a tumour.
He was the first Scottish cancer patient to undergo the treatment.
Desi's daughter, Erin Mcilroy, 38, says he is remaining positive but the Hoops fan who followed Tommy Burns' brave skin cancer battle is scared of losing his own.
The cabin crew worker told the Record: "The last four years have been terrifying for my dad.
"Celtic is his life and he watched Tommy Burns die at 51.
"He says, 'I don't want to die like Tommy', it's so sad.
"The NHS have exhausted all measures on their end, so now we need to go private to be eligible for any future immunotherapy treatment through clinical trials."
Desi's world came crumbling down in 2016 when his wife, Teresa, 68, found a mole on his back.
The mole was diagnosed as a malignant melanoma.
The dad-of-two used to work for a construction company and admits spending many hours working during the summer months without a top or sun screen.
He also claims docs sent him for six sun bed sessions 15 years ago to help with a psoriasis flare up.
A few weeks after the tragic discovery, Desi underwent a successful biopsy to have the cancer removed.
But in 2017 the skin cancer had come back with a vengeance forcing the doting grandad to undergo an operation to contain the melanomas.
He was left with deep scars across his back as a result of the surgery.
He was also given 'wonder drug' Ipilimumab, also known as Yervoy, to shrink the tumours.
The treatment was successful and the Mcilroys thought he had beaten the disease for the second time.
But in May 2019 doctors found the melanomas had returned and gave Desi just one year to live.
After his diagnosis, medics discovered his cancer had manifested into 40 lumps all over his body.
He was given a place on a clinical trial of TIL (tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte) Therapy in November last year.
The TIL Therapy reduced the lumps and Desi was home for Christmas Day.
He even booked a bucket list trip to New York City with daughter Erin and granddaughter, Ebony, 25, which they were able to enjoy in February this year.
But just a few weeks ago doctors found out the cancer had returned.
Desi's melanoma was back and had spread to his liver and lungs.
"When the doctors told me, my legs just buckled," Erin said.
"My dad said, 'Erin I'm so scared', I knew I had to put a brave face on for the family."
The family's only option is to fundraise for trial treatments but the clock is ticking.
Erin added: "New clinical trials and immunotherapy come up often.
"We're running out of time and options.
"Whatever trial it takes, however much it costs, even if we need to travel, we'll do whatever we need to do.
"We are not going to let this beat him."
Desi's family launched a JustGiving page in a bid to raise vital funds for any future treatment.
Since Friday over £6,000 has been raised.
Gartcosh locals are holding a sponsored walk from the village to Desi's beloved Parkhead in September to add money to his fundraising pot.
To donate visit the JustGiving page.
