Now then, this is of limited interest to most people – you will have needed to listen to BBC 5Live and to Richard Bacon‘s show to understand.
I came across this all quite by accident one PPA afternoon earlier this school year. There was a man describing his battle with stomach cancer in the most eloquent and imaginative, yet frank and honest way. I can’t describe to you how it made me feel having had a member of my family battle cancer (and win) to know some of the mental torture they must have been through. Steve Evans, a retired Wolverhampton man, had terminal stomach cancer.
Now, once again this afternoon, quite by chance, I found myself listening to Richard Bacon’s show again during my PPA, when it was announced that Steve had passed away earlier today.
I wish I had heard more from him.
Never has there been such an outpouring of grief and interest for someone most people hadn’t met. It was clear the two, Richard and Steve, had become firm friends – in fact their last meeting for radio was just a couple of days ago, when it was obvious that he hadn’t much time left.
The clip below really does show Steve at his best, describing his battle in his own wonderful way. But it also shows the deterioration that he suffered.
5 live listener Steve Evans was diagnosed with stomach cancer in September 2011. Over the last eight months Richard Bacon’s programme has regularly spoken to Steve – his interviews have had a huge impact on many listeners.
Steve, who was from Wolverhampton, died in the early hours of Thursday 16th January, at the age of 52.
He recorded his final interview with Richard Bacon from his hospital bed, two days before he died. He was very weak but determined to finish off what he’d started, which was to inspire other people suffering from cancer.
In May 2013 Richard Bacon broadcast from Steve Evans’ home in Wolverhampton. Steve talked about the irrational guilt he felt as a cancer patient and his worries about causing pain to those around him – especially family and friends. He leaves a wife and two grown-up children. He was originally told by doctors he had a year to live and defied their expectations.
In September 2013, Richard Bacon visited Steve at Wolverhampton New Cross hospital. At the end of November 2013 Steve and his wife visited 5 live’s studios where he talked about his decision to stop invasive treatment. He also implored those going through the same with their loved ones to tell each other how they feel.
In that final clip, Richard tells Steve that he loves him and that really says it all – Steve had a huge amount of love for people and had received it from many strangers. He really has created a legacy – it was wonderful to hear the impact that his stories have had on people going through similar situations, of the strength he gave to others.
One in three people will encounter cancer in their lifetime. My thoughts are with his family, with others that heard his tale, but also with those people in the future who will doubtless rediscover his journey (his word, not mine) and still benefit from it.
Thank you Steve.
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