Athlete, 21, fell ill at the gym and was diagnosed with cancer – three days later he was dead 

A talented 21-year-old bowls player was told he had testicular cancer after he fell ill on a treadmill at the gym and died in hospital just three days later.

Daniel Donnan was hospitalised after he began to feel unwell last Thursday during a workout and was informed of his condition a day later – which had spread to his brain and lungs. 

Friends of Daniel report that he had texted them saying he felt fine on the Friday night in hospital – shortly before the sportsman from Co Down, Northern Ireland passed away on Monday surrounded by his family. 

They are now seeking to increase awareness of cancer in young men, reports Belfast Live.

Speaking after his brother’s death, Curtis Donnan described how Daniel had suddenly become unwell.

He said: ‘Daniel was at the gym and started to lose power in the right side of his body after he got off the treadmill.

Tragically, the talented bowls player died in hospital just three days later

‘He felt his body change and was rushed to the Ulster Hospital where they did a scan on his brain which showed there were bleeds.

‘Daniel had an MRI on Friday and then underwent a CT Scan and ultrasound. He was diagnosed on Friday evening and then we lost him on Monday.

‘We would like to thank the doctors and nurses in the Ulster Hospital and also in the City Hospital cancer ward.’

Paying tribute to his brother, Curtis continued: ‘He was a big foodie who loved cafés and restaurants across Belfast but in particular The Yogurt Tree in Bangor which was one of his favourite spots.

‘He loved experiencing different foods and he was loved by his family and his friends.’

Daniel had excelled as a bowls player and had won numerous titles with his local bowling club including being the Under 25 runner-up in the Northern Ireland Bowling Association in 2018.

Speaking to the Newsletter,  Bangor Bowling Club secretary Thomas Cannavan explained how suddenly the illness had come on. 

He said: ‘Daniel was training in the gym a few days ago and then felt faint after his workout and sat down. 

‘All of a sudden he didn’t feel right down one side of his body so they took him to the Ulster Hospital.

‘Two days ago we were told he had a bleed on the brain. He was telling us on WhatsApp that he was feeling a lot better that night and that he was looking forward to the season and was joking away with us as normal.

‘But the next day he got the devastating news that he had testicular cancer and that it had spread to his brain and lungs.

‘They were going to move him the following day and then they realised how bad it was that it was unsafe to move him. They were going to try emergency chemotherapy but it was just too late.’