Last month, a social media campaign was launched for terminally-illStar WarsfanDaniel Fleetwood, who has been battling a rare form of cancer and wasn’t expected to live long enough to seeStar Wars: The Force Awakenswhen it hits theaters on December 18. Thanks to an overwhelming amount of social media support,Danielgot his wish last week, as LucasFilm screened an unedited print ofStar Wars: The Force Awakensat his Texas home. Last night, his wifeAshley Fleetwoodrevealed on herFacebookpage that her husband has passed away at the age of 32, just five days after watching the highly-anticipated film. Here’s what she had to say in a brief statement.
“Danielput up an amazing fight to the very end. He is now one with God and with the force. He passed in his sleep and in peace. He will always be my idol and my hero. Please hug uncle Marc for me and give Lucy lots of kisses. Rest in peace my love. #forcefordaniel”
Ashley Fleetwood’s #forcefordaniel campaign started with a single tweet sent out on October 27, asking directorJ.J. Abramsif her husband could screen the highly-anticipated film early. A day later, she sent out another tweet with a photo ofDaniel, which went viral, getting over 1,400 retweets, and within just a few short days, her campaign went worldwide, withStar Warscast members such asWarwick Davis,John Boyega,Mark Hamill,Peter Mayhewhelping to spread awareness through their own social media accounts. The campaign paid off on November 5, when LucasFilm and Disney arranged to screenStar Wars: The Force Awakens. In 2013,J.J. Abramsscreened an early version ofStar Trek Into Darknessfor a fan who died shortly thereafter. Here’s what his wife had to say shortly after the screening, on her Facebook page.
“To all our wonderful supporters, friends, family and awesome strangers: Daniels final dream was just granted!!! Today the wonderful Disney, Bad Robot and Lucasfilms teams made his final dream come true, in the amazing typical Disney way, they really do make dreams come true! Daniel just finished watching an unedited version ofStar Wars: The Force Awakens!!! We would like to thank the awesomely talentedJ.J. Abramsfor calling us yesterday to tell us Daniel was getting his wish granted! We also would like to thank Lynne, Ben and Anahuac for coming to our home and screening the movie for Daniel. Lastly I want to thank ALL the amazing people who helped make this happen, thank you beyond words!!! Maythe forcebe with you all.”
Daniel Fleetwood, who grew up watching theStar Warsmovies with his father, was diagnosed with spindle cell sarcoma, a rare form of connective tissue cancer in 2012, which spread to his lungs. Earlier this summer,Danielwas given just two months to live, and as the disease became more progressive, he didn’t think he’d be able to make it untilStar Wars: The Force Awakenshit theaters. His wifeAshleyhas also set up aGo Fund Mepage to help pay his medical bills, which has just over $50,000 in donations, half of her $100,000 goal. Take a look atAshley Fleetwood’s last photo with her husbandDanielbefore he passed away, along with a tweet fromJohn Boyegaafter he learned ofDaniel’s passing. you’re able to also visitAshley’sGo Fund Meto learn more about her fundraising campaign forDaniel’s medical bills.
