Young British-Israeli father dies after brave battle against cancer

The couple received an outpouring of support both from within Israel and from the Jewish community in the UK.

By TAMARA ZIEVE
Updated: JANUARY 29, 2018 01:23
David, Emly and Noa Kay. (photo credit: Courtesy)
David, Emly and Noa Kay.
(photo credit: Courtesy)
David Kay, a young British-Israeli father, passed away on Wednesday after fighting a difficult battle against lung cancer.
In June 2016, just a year after his wife, Emly, gave birth to their daughter, Noa, soon after the young couple had wed, David, a nonsmoker, was diagnosed with stage IV non-small-cell lung carcinoma with multiple brain, liver and bone metastasis. The five-year survival rate for stage IV is only 1%.
The couple, both in their early 30s, waged a determined fund raising campaign under the banner “Save Dave” to try to beat the cancer, raising over $100,000 to help fund Dave’s medical treatments.
The couple received an outpouring of support both from within Israel and from the Jewish community in the UK, from which Dave made aliya in 2008, and where he had served as chairman of the Jewish Society at Leeds Metropolitan University.
At the end of October, a group of friends and supporters participated in a 10 km run in Tel Aviv in Dave’s honor, to raise both money and awareness for his cause.
On Wednesday, Emly shared the tragic news about her husband’s death on her Facebook page, along with the hashtag #lovedave.
She wrote: “My soul-mate and best friend passed away today at 6 p.m. The funeral will be held this Friday at 11 a.m. at Kinneret Cemetery. We will then gather at the community center in Kibbutz Ginosar. Shiva will begin on Sunday.”
Dave was a passionate tour guide who used to lead an active life and strove to continue his career in a limited capacity even after falling ill.