Story
Steve's Boys are raising money for Marie Curie Cancer Care, in memory of our good friend.
Unfortunately, Steve's cancer was so aggressive that he never made it to Marie Curie, Solihull - although they offered him a place, he was just too ill to make it. Since Steve's death, they have also offered support to Steve's parents and his sister, in coming to terms with life after Steve.
The Marsh Lane Centre in Solihull offers support to so many residents, we are taking the opportunity to support them.
One night in the Pub, some of us had the brainwave of doing something for charity in memory of Steve, how we managed to settle on the 3 peaks we will never know. We thought of doing it in 48 hours at leisure, a few beers here, a pub meal there but, as one of the lads pointed out, "what would have Ste said about this...48 hours, what a massive bunch of fannys!! Get your arses up there in 24 or don't bother." So it was settled, Ben Nevis, Scaffel Pike, Snowdon in 24 hours.
A little about Steve’s illness and why we are doing this challenge…
Steve as you may already be aware (from the photos) was and always will be a much loved member of the group, in fact Steve is the link between two different groups of friends that is now one big group.
In the summer of 2013 soon after returning from a lads’holiday, Steve was taken ill. Steve went downhill and was sent for tests at the hospital where he was told that it was possible he may have cancer. As time went on Steve didn’t seem to make much improvement, so he was admitted to hospital for an operation that would allow him to build up strength while his condition was fully assessed. It was during this operation that the doctors made the discovery that Steve had a tumour in his bowel, but it had also spread to his peritoneum (the lining of the abdomen).
The news was as bad as it could be, but Steve was determined to do all he could to fight this disease. The doctors at Good Hope Hospital explained that there was an operation that had the potential to help Steve’s condition, but it was a massive operation at 12/13 hours long and would be difficult and painful with a long recovery. Steve wanted the operation and went into surgery in early November. A team of doctors at Good Hope tirelessly spent 12 hours removing all visible signs of the cancer. Following 4 weeks in hospital and superb follow up treatment on the ward, Steve had made amazing progress and looked to be on his way home for Christmas. Steve’s return home was too short, and he had to return to hospital on Christmas Eve. Steve stayed in intensive care throughout Christmas and New Year, watching the fireworks from his ITU bed with his family at his bedside with the amazing staff at Good Hope. The New Year, however, didn’t bring any respite in Steve’s condition, and the news that Steve’s cancer had returned was delivered. On the 14th January, just over a week after his 31st birthday, Steve passed away peacefully surrounded by this family. Steve’s condition deteriorated so quickly that there was no time to take him home or to the bed offered to him at Marie Curie, Solihull.
Steve was the model of fitness as you can see from the photos, and was one of, if not the fittest of all his mates. He went to the gym and trained throughout the week without fail, he had the diet of an athlete (other than a few beers on a Friday or Saturday night) and he would have been the last person you would expect to get bowel cancer.
At the request of Steve’s family, donations were made to Beating Bowel Cancer in memory of Stephen. The information received regarding bowel cancer is shocking, just how many young people are diagnosed each year, of which many are most likely told “you’re too young to have bowel cancer”.
As over £8,000 was raised at the time of Stephen’s funeral for Beating Bowel Cancer, we thought, Steve’s Boys, that we could do something to raise money and help Marie Curie Hospice in Solihull. They offered Stephen and his family help and support during his short illness and following his death, as they do for all West Midlands residents.
We also hope that this will raise awareness that regardless of age or physical condition, bowel cancer is the second biggest cancer killer in the UK, that no one likes to talk about.
Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.