EXCLUSIVE: Australian Actor Eka Darville’s Son Loses Battle with Rare Brain Tumor
By Kylie Stevens For Daily Mail Australia
In a heartbreaking turn of events, Australian actor Eka Darville is mourning the loss of his 10-year-old son Mana, who has tragically lost his battle with a rare type of brain tumor. Darville, known for his roles in Power Rangers RPM and Marvel’s Jessica Jones and The Defenders, had put his career on hold earlier this year after Mana was diagnosed with aggressive glioneuronal brain cancer.
After being informed that there was little more doctors could do in Australia, Darville and his wife Lila made the difficult decision to move their young family to the United States. In April, Mana underwent a high-risk marathon surgery to remove as much of the primary tumor as possible. Updates on Mana’s condition and recovery were kept private until recently, when Darville revealed that his son was still fighting, but the tumor was growing back at an alarming rate. He urged fans to keep Mana in their prayers.
In a heartbreaking video, Darville’s mother Malaika announced the devastating news that her grandson passed away over the weekend. She expressed both sadness and grief for Eka, Lila, and the entire family, but also emphasized the presence of joy, peace, and stillness in their home after a long struggle spanning 463 days. She assured everyone that Mana is now free and dancing in the light.
Describing him as a remarkable child, Malaika added that Mana touched more hearts in his short life than most people do in a lifetime. She believes that Mana will continue to touch hearts with his story, courage, strength, and wisdom, serving as a guiding force for love.
Despite this devastating setback, Mana’s journey inspired an outpouring of tributes from celebrities and well-wishers. Former Home and Away star Isabel Lucas and LA-based Aussie actress Teresa Palmer shared their condolences and love.
In a recent fundraising update, Darville shared his family’s incredible journey over the past months. Mana went from being unable to walk to performing ninja rolls off his bed, rock climbing, swimming, and even running unassisted. However, the devastating news came when the tumor returned and started growing faster than ever before. Despite this challenge, Darville and his family remained committed to Mana’s complete healing.
Mana’s health struggles began in July 2022 when he collapsed on a beach and suffered a seizure, leaving the right side of his body paralyzed. Initially misdiagnosed with Focal Cortical Dysplasia, a brain abnormality allegedly present since birth, Mana continued to experience daily uncontrolled seizures. In January, an MRI revealed two large tumors on his brain’s surface, leading to a 14-hour operation to remove a portion of one tumor. But the family sought further treatment overseas to find a cure for Mana.
Eka Darville, originally from Byron Bay, has made a name for himself in the entertainment industry with roles in various popular shows and movies. His latest role in Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes is set to release in 2024.
The loss of young Mana has left a void in the hearts of many. While grieving, Eka Darville and his family continue to find solace in the presence of joy and everlasting love that Mana brought into their lives.