Terminally-ill Star Wars fan was able to see Rogue One two days before he died

Last week we told you about the social media campaign — #RogueOneWish — that was started to help a terminally-ill Star Wars fan see Rogue One, before he died…

Star Wars fan Neil Hanvey had one wish before he died: See Rogue One. In April of this year, Neil was given the news that he had roughly six to eight months to live. That meant the last Star Wars film he would have seen would be — The Force Awakens.

A massive social media campaign — titled #RogueOneWish — was launched by Amy Duncan and the staff at St Michael’s Hospice, in Hereford, with the hopes that Gareth Edwards and Disney/Lucasfilm would grant Neil his dying wish of seeing the very first standalone Star Wars film.

Well, according to Manchester Evening News, Neil did get his wish, and he was able to watch Rogue One. Sadly, just two days after seeing the film, Neil passed away. St Michael’s Hospice released this statement:

"“On behalf of Neil Hanvey, his wife Andrea and all his family, we want to thank everyone who supported the #RogueOneWish campaign. The director of Rogue One, Gareth Edwards did all he could to make Saturday a very special day for Neil. Neil, his family and everyone at St Michael’s Hospice would like to say thank you to Disney, Lucasfilm and especially Gareth Edwards.”"

via Evesham Journal

Neil’s wife, Andrea, also released a statement:

"“On behalf of all our family we would like to thank everyone who has passed on their condolences following Neil’s death last night. We would also like to thank the tens of thousands of people who supported the #RogueOneWish campaign. All the messages of love during the past week have given us a great deal of comfort during a very difficult time."

Andrea Hanvey also thanked Neil’s hospice nurse, Amy Duncan, and said that a donation page would be setup soon, and any donations being sent for Neil’s funeral will go directly to  the Hospice’s Family Support team.

Next: Alan Tudyk Talks Becoming K-2SO for Rogue One

Although sad, Neil’s story is ultimately an amazingly uplifting tale of how an entire fanbase can rally around one of our own, and how a huge corporation like Disney/Lucasfilm and its exciting young director can come together to grant a dying man his last wish.

Rest in peace, Neil, you are one with the Force now. We are glad you got to see Rogue One, and May the Force be with your wife Andrea, as she deals with your passing. And, thank you Gareth Edwards and Lucasfilm for making Neil’s dying wish come true.