Luke Hannaford, who just celebrated his 20th birthday on July 4, will be remembered by friends and family as selfless, determined and brave. 

From a very young age, Luke had faced battle after battle – he defeated cancer not once, but three times.

At just eight years old, he beat brain cancer in 2004, then bowel cancer in 2010 and thyroid cancer in 2012.

But benign tumours riddled his body – they sprung up in his brain, his spine, and finally, 18 months ago, his abdomen. 

This last tumour proved inoperable and it eventually claimed his life.

To his parents Leanne and Greg Hannaford, along with sister Zoe, Luke was a beloved son and brother with a cheeky smile and positive outlook.

“He was a legend and he was my hero. That’s what I told him just before he passed away,” Mrs Hannaford said. 

“Zoe looked up to him; she idolised him.”

In March, Luke and Leanne appeared in The Northern Daily Leader, highlighting the unfair chemotherapy costs facing patients in country NSW.

This is just one of many examples of Luke putting others before himself, his proud family said.

Even in his last moments, they said, he was courteous and selfless, making sure an elderly woman in his hospital wing was all right, putting thoughts of his own illness aside. 

The Hannafords are extremely proud of their hardworking son, who managed to finish his apprenticeship as a boilermaker, one of his key life goals.

The family said they were eternally grateful to Belmore Engineering for giving Luke an opportunity to shine and fulfil his dream. 

It was made possible thanks to Angel Flight pilot David Green – Luke told him on one of their many flights to Sydney about his wish, and Mr Green’s son, Mitch, of Belmore Engineering – helped make it a reality. 

Mr Green and wife Leanne remember first meeting Luke as a “fresh-faced, 12-year-old boy who was so bravely fighting the battle of his life”.

“To see Luke realise his dream and earn his trade certificate was something very special,” they said. “Luke had an amazing outlook on life, a wonderful nature and family. He took everything thrown at him in his stride. 

“What a pleasure and a privilege it’s been to have shared and played a part in Luke’s journey.”

Their son Mitch said Luke had been a valuable member of their team for the past three years and would be missed by all. 

“There was never a job or task that Luke would give up on,” Mitch Green said. 

“He always tried his best. 

“A fond memory of Luke that we all share is him turning a five- hour trip in to an eight-hour trip, and taking the scenic route – obviously map reading was never his strongest asset!  

“Even with his ongoing medical issues, Luke attended work as much as possible, and always showed a positive and ‘can-do’ attitude.”

The Hannafords also thanked Luke’s schools – St Nicholas and McCarthy – for their support, especially for organising a walkathon for Luke in 2005. 

Luke’s parents have been overwhelmed by the number of tributes posted to his Facebook page, which described him as being of pure heart, humble soul and with a wicked sense of humour.

Luke passed away on Sunday, July 12, and family and friends will farewell him on Monday at St Nicholas’ Catholic Church. 

The family has asked that donations, in lieu of flowers, may be made to Ronald McDonald House.