53-year-old David Sharkey knew something wasn't right. So did his boss, who'd seen his work, ordinarily stellar, slip.
"He just said you have to get yourself checked out, you have get yourself to a hospital," 53-year-old David Sharkey said. (Repeating his age for an important reason.)
So, three and a half weeks ago, he went to see the doctor. The diagnosis was cancer of the lung and it had spread to the brain.
He was forced out of work and uninsured.
David's brother, Steve, knew he needed help, and placed an ad for a fundraiser in a local paper which prompted one incredible call.
It came from Denise Sharkey, the mother of David Sharkey, but this David is 9-years-old.
"I said, 'Is your name David Sharkey?' He said, 'no, I'm Steve Sharkey.' I said, 'I have a son named David Sharkey and he has brain cancer also," Denise said.
Denise Sharkey are her husband are the proud parents of 9-year-old David, also a brain cancer patient.
At first, they thought the ad was some kind of cruel joke. But soon, they realized it was instead an unbelievable coincidence and an oddly comforting one.
Not that they'd ever felt alone in their suffering, but now they had a sort of kindred spirit.
Little David needed that and so did big David.
So on Friday night, separated by decades, but joined by disease, they met, for the first time.
Both David's are new to their diagnoses, 53-year-old David Sharkey's less than a month old and 9-year-old David Sharkey's 3 months ago. Each is equally eager to fight.
LIttle David gestured, as he was too weak to speak much, a thumbs up showing both are confident they can beat this.
Big David says it is all in the name.
Fundraiser for DAVID SHARKEY:
Saturday, May 22
6pm-10pm,
T.D.'s Irish Pub
7770 Dungan Rd.
Phila, PA 19111
More information: sharkeyshirts@comcast.net
Direct Donations to:
David Sharkey
9325 Walker St.
Phila, PA 19114
