FUNDRAISING efforts are underway to help John Price pay the £50,000 he borrowed for his private cancer operation.
Friends of the retired teacher have set up a GoFundMe page which has already raised more than £18,000.
Many of those who have donated so far have been past pupils of St Louise's College in west Belfast.
The page says any funds left over will be donated to a cancer charity.
Mr Price said he had been "humbled" by everyone's efforts.
"My family and friends have been extraordinary," he said.
"I couldn't begin to tell you how humbling it is to have received such an incredible amount of support.
"My past pupils and the comments, that got me through all that. That is an incredible place.
"The humanity that has been shown towards me - my family tell me and there was a gig on last night on Facebook for me. It would bring tears to a stone. It is the solidarity that has been shown to me."
Donations can be made at www.gofundme.com/f/weh8m-for-john
