Stories of Cancer and Hope
IT worker Kevin, an ambassador for Melanoma UK, has compiled stories from patients and their families about their experience of cancer. He has compiled a book called Stories of Cancer and Hope, to bring hope and comfort to those living with cancer.
Kevin was diagnosed with stage two melanoma five years ago and was told the cancer hadn’t spread. But in December 2019 back pain led to the discovery his illness had returned and was incurable. He described the diagnosis as “like a wrecking ball, everything just got smashed to pieces”.
His cancer is now under control, but he wants to make sure others don’t feel the sense of isolation and confusion he did. He compiled a book of stories from, and about, those who have experienced the disease.
He says: “The NHS is an amazing organisation for looking after you physically, but mentally you’re looking for answers. It was through talking to other people that have experienced cancer that hope started to build. It got me to the point of thinking ‘surely I’m not alone, surely other people are looking for the same sort of hope’”.
Since then Kevin has appeared on numerous TV and radio shows talking about his collection of stories and even been a guest on our monthly online Support Group and Chat meeting. He has also been interviewed on Jacqui Drake’s Cancer Journeys podcast on BCB Radio available on our website.
The book has captured the public imagination and now Kevin has ordered a second print run, made possible by an army of sponsors and friends. Books are donated to cancer charities and hospitals across the UK.
You can see Kevin being interviewed on Scottish TV here:
The video is available for your viewing pleasure at https://vimeo.com/831495515
The project is being supported by businessman Ricky Nicol; his company Commsworld is providing financial support. Ricky was diagnosed with throat cancer aged 44 and given a 50/50 chance of survival, 16 years later he has made a full recovery.
He hopes this project will help end some of the stigma around the illness: “When I was a kid cancer was the Big C. There has always been that terror in just the word. People are now seeing it’s not necessarily the end of the world.”
Two of the stories come from Yorkshire contributors. In The Glass is Always Half Full – Ian Hollingworth from Leeds describes his diagnosis with a head and neck cancer in 2017.
He describes his positive attitude: “Other than the sciatica I suffered with last year, my cancer has been completely asymptomatic with no pain or illness thankfully. I now have a very positive oncologist …and although the cancer has been spreading, the tumours are very small and have been caught early, so I am hopeful that my cancer can be managed for many years to come.
“I feel so lucky to have such a supportive family, friends and workplace, not something everyone is blessed with I know.”
York man Andy Mercer talked about his younger brother Stuart, known as Stu who was diagnosed with terminal stage four pancreatic cancer, while living in Thailand.
Stu ‘had more stamps on his passport than James Bond’, according to Andy. He worked as a deck hand on executive yachts and had travelled around the world.
The family were determined that Stu should come back to York to die, and the story focuses on the challenges they faced in getting him back to England, complete with ambulance on the runway with oxygen masks at the ready.
Just six hours after arriving back in York, ‘our homing pigeon left us for good’ said Andy.
“Apparently big boys don’t cry. Well, I cry every day. I’ve never told anyone this before. I don’t think I’m alone. It helps.”
Proceeds from the sale of the book goes to Melanoma UK. If you would like a copy please email contact@storiesofcancerandhope.co.uk
A big thank you to Kevin who donated 18 copies to Yorkshire Cancer Community. We have gifted them to our Cancer Champions.