Karl Vella, seen here with his family, passed away yesterday in the early morning. Photo: Facebook

Cancer campaigner Karl Vella died early yesterday morning, leaving behind a legacy of inspiration for fellow sufferers.

“His wish was to help others whenever he could, and his regret was that he couldn’t continue to help,” his father Andrew, who had a close relationship with Mr Vella, told this newspaper.

The inspirational cancer fighter, who would have turned 38 in May, worked at Mater Dei Hospital and was a well-known photographer.

His father noted that Mr Vella’s spirit of solidarity had always been present – through his work with children at hospital, as a union shop steward for nursing-aides and later when he stood by the side of fellow sick people.

Despite being unwell during the last edition of the President’s charity fun run, he asked his wife Rose to call a taxi so he could head out there when the marathon was nearly over, because he would have regretted not taking part.

He was not a person who preached, instead he let his actions do the talking

Speaking about his last moments with his son, Mr Vella recalled how, as a toddler, Karl would grab his father’s finger when he lay down next to him in a bid to put him to sleep. In the early hours of yesterday morning, Karl repeated the gesture and tried to hug his father, before turning to his wife and uttering “qalbi, qalbi”.

Mr Vella developed cancer in his nose some nine years ago, but after three years, he was given the all-clear. Two years later, however, it re-emerged, and during the past four years it spread throughout his body.

Karl was a “normal man”. He loved driving and he often topped off a drive with his father with a glass of tea and ħobż biż-żejt.

His inspiring battle with cancer will, however,remain etched in the memory of many.

“Something I will always remember is that, despite being in great pain, he asked me about fellow sufferers till the very end. Karl’s solidarity had no limit.”

TV presenter Peppi Azzopardi told this newspaper: “I do show solidarity, but when something happens to me, I forget everything else and help myself and my family. On the other hand, when you asked Karl how he was doing, he would turn the conversation onto other people,”

Mr Azzopardi met Mr Vella in 2008 when he took part in a TV programme. Later, he featured prominently in inspirational messages presented by the Community Chest Fund, Xarabank, Hospice Malta and NGOs aimed at filling fellow patients with hope.

In this week’s edition of Xarabank, footage will be broadcast with Mr Vella’s last message.

Mr Azzopardi recalled how, throughout his ordeal, Mr Vella visited sick people at Mater Dei Hospital or at their own homes. During the 2012 edition of L-Istrina, the TV presenter kept urging him to go home and rest but Mr Vella stayed on throughout the event.

“He was not a person who preached, instead he let his actions do the talking. He would always tell people who visited him that he loved them, before they left his side.”

As the news of his passing spread yesterday morning, tributes flooded the social media as people expressed their gratitude for his words of encouragement. Many said his struggle inspired them to fight their own battles.

Singer Ira Losco said on her Facebook page: “A wonderful man has passed. Teaching us yet again, how incredible life is and how fully one should live it. We will definitely never forget your fighting spirit.”

The final farewell will be paid tomorrow when the funeral leaves Mater Dei Hospital at 3pm and Mass is said at the Rotunda church in Mosta at 3.30pm.