Jeffrey McKnight, currently in hospital, called his wife a 'hero' and asked people to help support her

A dying father has set up a heartbreaking fundraising page for his wife and daughter after finding out he has just one week to live.

Jeffrey McKnight said he is dying of lymphoma, a type of cancer, and is trying to gather funds to help Laura and seven-year-old Katherine through his death.

The dad, who is currently in hospital, called his wife a 'hero' and asked people to help support her.

Jeffrey, described as a 'brilliant scientist,' has set up a Gofundme page titled 'Helping Laura and Katherine get through my death.'

On the page, the father wrote: "I am dying of lymphoma.

"My wife, Laura, has been nothing but a hero during this time.

"She is about to lose two incomes (mine and hers) as she manages and does research in a lab we shared together.

"My life insurance is tiny thanks to academia and our savings are nearly nonexistent.

"My biggest fear is that she won't have resources to get up on her feet. Please consider supporting her through my absence."

On Twitter he told: "I'm raising money for Helping Laura and Katherine get through my death.. Click to Donate."

He tweet added: "Confirmed. Doc said maybe a week or so left. In ER for comfort care. Thank you all for battling with me."

Another page set up to help the family told how Jeffrey started his lab at the University of Oregon in 2016.

"Jeff is one of the most genuine people you will ever meet, who always goes out of his way to help others first," it says.

The page set up in July described how a few months previous Jeffrey was diagnosed with hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma (HSTCL), a fast acting cancer that grows in the liver and the spleen and causes unbearably high fevers.

It said that tragically his cancer has become resistant to the chemotherapy, adding: "Please consider making a donation to this beautiful family."