Image: The incomparable Steve, showing his famous zest for life. Photo courtesy of L.

On Friday evening, I heard the very sad news that my friend, Steve, had passed away after a long struggle with brain cancer.

He was 31 years old.

Through the night, as more and more people found out what had happened, tributes and photographs poured out via social media as we all tried to come to terms with his death. The messages were both joyful and heartbreaking; a celebration of his amazing and all-too-short life, but also a painful reminder that he is no longer with us.

I never knew Steve when he wasn’t affected by cancer. I had the happy pleasure of meeting him through work nearly six years ago and, to start with, had no idea he was ill. It was hard to reconcile such an active, outgoing man with someone who was dealing with a terminal illness on a day-to-day basis.

Looking at all the pictures of Steve and having the opportunity to share in the wonderful memories people have of their time with him, it strikes me how rich his life was. He never let cancer get in the way of making the most of every single second – and I can’t recall a single time that I heard him complain about his illness. Yet despite the weight of everything he was carrying, health-wise and emotionally, he always, always made the time and put in the effort for others. It didn’t matter whether you’d seen him a day or months before; he was always pleased of your company and ready to make you laugh. In the words of one of Steve’s many, many friends:

 

‘One of the most amazing people has left us. Someone who always asked how I was with all my sh*t going on, no matter how awful his illness was. [One of] the most selfless and kindest people I’ve ever known.’

 

Life gave Steve one of its bitterest lemons. Yet he took it without complaint and made of it the sweetest lemonade.

My tears won’t bring Steve back. I would cry a river if they could. It is so unfair that he is gone. But if you are able, can I gently encourage you to think about donating to a cancer care or research charity, such as Marie Curie or Cancer Research U.K., so that those like him have a better chance of beating this awful disease. Keep them #WithUsForLonger.

Steve. 1981 – 2013. A truly outstanding human being.

 

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