“Let’s Have More Game On, Than Game Over”
Being diagnosed with cancer is a lonely time. Receiving hospital treatment – often in isolation – leaves the patient disorientated and removed from contact with normal life.
In March 2019, Steve Bracewell’s life was changed forever. He was diagnosed with a very rare form of leukaemia called Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML). He has battled this disease three times and had a recent stem cell transplant in the space of two years.
Steve’s first indication that something was wrong, was a lump on his leg. He received antibiotics for cellulitis but further blood tests ruled that out. When a GP knocked on the door of his Cleckheaton home, there were fears Steve had contracted sepsis. At Bradford Royal Infirmary, Steve, received the shocking news that he had cancer.
Steve had been a gamer since childhood. He found he needed video games now more than ever to stay connected to his online friends while receiving hospital treatment.
“Cancer doesn’t care who you are – what age, what colour, what gender. Playing video games allowed me to escape the reality I was facing. I made friends and found a sense of community,” he added.
Steve’s experience led him to set up an online forum for other people interested in gaming who were facing cancer.
“Gaming is good for everyone whatever age they are, and stage of cancer they’re at. It can help improve cognitive function, help eye/hand coordination, improves memory and provides a much needed distraction,” Steve, who had worked in marketing and record production, went on to explain.
He wanted to give patients “the gift of gaming as finances go out of the window once you’ve got a cancer diagnosis.”
Steve realised that helping to combat boredom while undergoing hospital treatment was expensive with some hospitals charging patients £8 per day for access to a television.
With backing from various technical partners he set up a Community Interest Company, which converted to becoming the charity Gamers Beat Cancer. The charity supports people of all ages, all backgrounds and all types of cancers to manage the mental health issues that come with living with cancer, and the emotional trauma that accompanies cancer diagnosis, prognosis and treatment.
No one in the charity takes a wage, meaning every donation helps to provide the ‘gift of gaming’ to a patient, who can self refer, or be referred by their clinical team.
In the longer term, Steve hopes to generate funding by selling a clothing range. They’ve also teamed up with a computer company who donate 5% of proceeds when equipment is bought via the charity’s site.
“Rather than a cash donation, particularly when money is tight, why not donate your old console or games,” says Steve.
The charity accept donations of used and new consoles, computers, tablets, smartphones, pre-owned video games and laptops. They can even help with postage costs if required.
Assisting Steve to run the charity are seven skilled trustees from a variety of backgrounds including mental health; media, IT, business and branding.
Television presenter and children’s author Jason Bradbury, best known for hosting Channel 5’s The Gadget Show is the charity’s patron.
While many people affected by cancer prefer not to refer to language such as ‘beat’ ‘battle’ or fight’ Steve makes no apologies.
“The Boss is cancer and I’ve beat that boss three times. It’s like the biggest good versus evil battle I have ever fought in my life.
“I believe in having a positive outlook and the more positive your mind works, that has to be for the best. Yes, I could have crawled into bed and laid there, but I said ‘Let’s do this. Fight for the right to live’”.
If you would like to know more about the charity, go to www.gamersbeatcancer.co.uk