Australian Marvel actor Eka Darville and his family are grappling with an unimaginable tragedy as they mourn the loss of their 10-year-old son, Mana, who recently succumbed to brain cancer.
The news has been reported by various Australian and British media outlets, including News.com.au and The Sun.
Eka Darville, best known for his roles in 'Jessica Jones' and 'Power Rangers', as well as appearances in 'Vampire Diaries' and 'The Originals', had to pause his acting career to focus on his son's treatment.
In 2024, he is slated to appear in 'Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes'.
Darville and his wife, Lila, had taken their family to the USA in the hopes of finding effective treatment for Mana, but their efforts were ultimately in vain.
The challenging journey of seeking treatment for Mana took them away from home for an extended period, a testament to their unwavering commitment to their son’s well-being.
The heartbreaking announcement of Mana's passing was made by Eka’s mother, Malaika, on a GoFundMe page that had been set up to raise funds for Mana’s medical expenses.
She shared that it had been 463 days since the cancer was discovered, marking a profound change in the lives of their family.
"You can imagine the immense sadness and sorrow experienced by Eka, Lila, Lila's parents, his grandparents, myself, and his little brothers. But at the same time, there is a lot of joy.
There is a sense of peace. There is a silence in the house after such a long battle of 463 days since it all began. And now he is free. Now he is dancing in the light. We all see it, we all feel it, and I know that many of you, like myself, loved Mana forever. Mana managed to touch more hearts than most do in a lifetime," Malaika expressed.
World-renowned actor Channing Tatum was among those who tried to lend a helping hand to the Darville family during their time of need. In March of this year, he took to Facebook to encourage others to support the family.
"My friends Eka and Lila Darville and their nine-year-old son, Mana, are in the fight of their lives against a rare form of highly metastatic brain cancer. They desperately need our help," Tatum appealed.
As the Darville family navigates through this period of profound loss, the love and support from friends, family, and well-wishers provide a glimmer of solace, reminding us all of the powerful impact that Mana had on so many hearts in his short life.
