In a poignant and heartfelt update, actress Jackie Matubia has shared the devastating news that her father, David Mwangi Macharia, has been diagnosed with stage four cancer.
The announcement came through an emotional video where Jackie celebrated the fathers in her life, highlighting the profound impact the diagnosis has had on her and her family.
Jackie, who considers herself fortunate to have two fathers, spoke about the significant roles they play in her life.
Her biological father, Fredrick Chege Matubia, resides in the UK and visits occasionally.
However, David Mwangi Macharia has been an additional father figure, offering love, care, and spiritual support.
“God gave me my biological father Fredrick Chege Matubia, who lives in the UK and he visits once in a while. But God also gave me an additional father, David Mwangi Macharia, who loves me, takes care of me, and prays for me,” Jackie shared.
The discovery of her father’s illness came as a shock. Despite always insisting he was fine, David’s deteriorating condition became evident when his medication ceased to be effective.
Jackie’s brother raised the alarm, prompting her to send money for medical tests, which confirmed their worst fears: stage four cancer.
“My father has been sick but he always said he was okay. So one day, my brother called me and told me even the medication wasn’t helping. So I sent him money to go to the hospital to find out what the problem was. He had tests and was told to go home as we waited for the results,” Jackie explained.
The diagnosis struck at a challenging time for Jackie, who was gearing up for the launch of her new production, ‘Toxic’. The news was a heavy blow, leading to an emotional breakdown.
“I remember when I was just about to do the ‘Toxic’ launch, my younger brother called and told me dad was not feeling well. I got the devastating call that my dad had stage four cancer. At that particular point, I was just asking God why? The man who has stood in the gap of being my father and my kids’ grandfather. I broke down and cried,” Jackie said.
The impact of the diagnosis extended to Jackie’s mother, who fell ill due to high blood pressure. The family entered panic mode, with the urgent need for chemotherapy treatment adding to the stress.
“It was a shock for everyone. Immediately, my mum also got sick because of high blood pressure. It was panic mode for everyone. I was told he had to start his chemo immediately. And I was like, God, I don’t have money. I had used all my money in the new production. But God has been faithful,” Jackie revealed.
In the face of this overwhelming situation, Jackie had to make tough decisions regarding her career and family responsibilities.
She chose to redirect funds from her production launch to her father’s chemotherapy, demonstrating her unwavering dedication to her family.
“So I told my mum I had the money for the launch and we could use it for the chemo, and I’ll figure out where the money for the launch will come from. I was like, should I cancel the launch, should I continue? But having friends who stand by you is nice. You guys see us smiling but you don’t know the battles that we go through behind the scenes,” Jackie stated.
Despite the challenges, Jackie expressed deep admiration for her father’s resilience, noting his strength despite undergoing multiple chemotherapy sessions.
His determination has inspired her to remain hopeful and committed to providing him with the best care possible.
“But my father is the strongest man I know. You can’t say he’s gone for three chemos. I looked at him and I was like, why am I crying? This man is so strong,” Jackie said.
The family’s journey through this difficult period underscores the importance of love, support, and resilience in the face of life’s toughest battles.
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