Woman, 25, Announces Her Own Cancer Death on Social Media: 'I Chose Not to Mourn the Life I Was Losing'

Daniella Thackray’s post commemorating her “magical” life has gone viral in the wake of her death

A 25-year-old woman with a rare form of cancer planned her death announcement, asking her family to post the pre-written eulogy to her social media accounts.

“If you’re reading this then it means I have died from my battle with cancer and my family are posting my final message on my behalf,” posts to Daniella Thackray’s Facebook and LinkedIn said last month.

Thackray began by explaining the type of cancer she had, writing, “Firstly, I just want to say that not all cancers are caused by lifestyle choices, in some cases it’s genetics or unfortunately it just happens. In my case, despite me being very healthy and active, a cancer started in my bile ducts which was not caused by anything in my control and my life was never the same again. [Cholangiocarcinoma] is a rare aggressive cancer with often no obvious causes and no cure.”

The Mayo Clinic says smoking, older age, and diabetes may increase the risk of developing Cholangiocarcinoma, and explains it “is a very difficult type of cancer to treat,” with surgery, liver transplant, chemotherapy, and palliative care recommended.

As Thackray had shared on social media, she’d undergone a liver resection and gallbladder surgery eight months ago.

“I really really do hope that in the years to come more research is done about this horrid cruel disease so that more lives can be saved,” Thackray wrote in her final post.

“So with that being said, although we can’t control what happens to us, we can control how we react. I chose not to mourn the life I was losing despite being so devastated, but to instead enjoy every moment I had left,” the Leeds, England, resident wrote.

Related: Julia Michaels Had Her Gallbladder Removed: 'Finally Feeling So Much Better'

“As I have always said and believed you should enjoy the little things in life and cherish every moment! Romanticise your life! Do whatever makes you happy and don’t let anyone take the joy of life away from you x”

Thackray, who worked at the marketing firm, 26 Agency, continued, “I LOVED my life. Everything I had achieved was what I wanted. I loved my job, my fiancé, my family, my friends and my dog, and the house we were going to buy and the future we were making for ourselves. Leo my fur baby was definitely brought into my life to help brighten my darkest days.”

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

“So thank you everyone for making my life so magical. Remember what I said about enjoying the little things. If ever there is a tomorrow when we’re not together, there is something you must always remember. You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem and smarter than you think. But the most important thing is, even if we’re apart… I’ll always be with you," she wrote, quoting Winnie the Pooh.

Thackray’s post has since gone viral, with more than 50,000 reactions on Linked In and 2,300 reactions on Facebook — where people shared how her message touched them.

“I don't know, and will never have the opportunity to meet Daniella, but she has forever changed my view of life. She was wise beyond her years,” one person wrote.

Related: Opera Singer Stephen Gould Dead of Bile Duct Cancer at 61: 'Always in Our Hearts'

“What a beautiful statement and testimonial. so very brave how she battled in this life and embraced the next. I’m so thankful she shared this with us,” wrote another.

Thackray ended on a note to her fiancé, Tom Calvert. “And lastly to my dear, beautiful Tom, I love you and always will. Thank you for supporting me and bringing so much love and happiness into my life. Go enjoy your life now, you deserve it. Daniella ❤️"

For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on People.