A 28-year-old man with terminal cancer who donated HK$800,000 (US$102,483) to a Hong Kong foundation helping young patients died in March surrounded by loved ones.

“Thank you for your love and encouragement for Gabriel [Yeung Ka-piu],” the family said in a post on his personal Instagram.

“Gabriel had passed away peacefully in late March before Easter, accompanied by his loved ones. The farewell ceremony has also concluded.”

The family also said they would not be responding to messages or any media inquiries.

Yeung, who had been battling stomach and liver cancer since 2022, stepped into the media spotlight after he donated to the Children’s Cancer Foundation Hong Kong last October, saying they “deserve a happy childhood”.

In a social media post before his death, he said chemotherapy had been the most painful part of his journey and that it deprived him of “basic dignity as a human being as well as the ability to speak”.

“At this moment, what I desire most is for this world to be free of cancer and other illnesses,” he said. “I would like to leave what I can’t take away to the children who are bravely fighting against cancer.”

The University of Hong Kong graduate said he believed kids suffering from cancer deserved a happy childhood just like others and added his decision to give away the money was made a long time ago.

Yeung, who was an investment banker, also told children fighting the disease to always believe in their ability to recover.

He shared his cancer journey on Instagram over the past few months, including how he composed new songs and learned to draw on iPad.

In one of his last posts, Yeung said his cancer condition had worsened since the end of January and that he had started to feel discomfort.

“In the face of pain, it is impossible to force yourself to be happy all the time. You can only try your best not to focus on and magnify the pain, try to enjoy the pain, eat more when you have a better appetite,” he said.

“Enjoy the time when you are not feeling sick.”