Stephen Sutton, a young man who had to face cancer, but did not let it bring him down, has died. His spirit, bravery and determination to live life to the full was and should be an inspiration to us all.
Sutton, from Burntwood, Staffordshire, who spent his last weeks raising more than £3million for the Teenage Cancer Trust charity, died on Wednesday after being re-admitted to hospital at the weekend with breathing difficulties and his family said his condition was rapidly deteriorating.
For all healthy and sick people it is good to take this young man in mind.
“Stephen didn’t measure life in time, preferring instead to measure it by the difference someone makes. Stephen has made an enormous difference to Teenage Cancer Trust and the seven young people diagnosed with cancer every day who need our help.”
said Siobhan Dunn, chief executive of Teenage Cancer Trust which Sutton raised his money for.
The final photo posted on Stephen Sutton’s Facebook
You may find on Facebook RIP Steven Sutton and already a Facebook page Steven Sutton deserves an OBE.
No matter his illness which he knew would bring soon bring an end to his life this boy was full of life and wanted to do many things in his life. He wanted to try to make the world a better place no matter what.
Kenneth Blanchard with many others found Stephen a fantastic lad who was always thinking of others and will be sadly missed.
The Teenage Cancer Trust wrote on its site:
Stephen Sutton, the amazing young man who did so much to raise funds and awareness for Teenage Cancer Trust has died. The thoughts of everyone here at Teenage Cancer Trust are with Stephen’s family and friends. We are humbled and hugely grateful for what Stephen achieved, and continues to achieve, for young people with cancer.
Stephen Sutton was a normal kid who did well at school, had ambitions of becoming a doctor, played lots of sports and played drums in a local band. Like anyone else his age, he liked socializing and going out with friends.
Then in 2010, when he was 15, he was diagnosed with stage 3B colorectal cancer. After 6 months of crippling symptoms he underwent a hemicolectomy to remove a tumour from his bowel, then had 6 months of chemotherapy. The treatment had all kinds of side effects but throughout it he was determined not to let the treatment and diagnosis get on top of him.
In January 2013, diagnosed with a s continued growing and spreading cancer, this young lad decided to share his life and outlook with the whole world, starting off by making a Facebook page called Stephen’s story. I’ve raised over £160,000 so far, through events ranging from charity quizzes, to a skydive to dinner parties. I think there should be some fun in fundraising, and I always encourage people to try something new.
I smile because I have a lot to smile about. I’ve seen a lot, achieved a lot — and had a lot of fun doing it too. – Now he is gone but his spirit may carry on.
Stephen’s Story has expanded to other forms of social media including Twitter, Tumblr and Instagram. Facebook acquired over 12,500 dedicated Facebook fans and over 16,000 followers on Twitter at one point, and he hoped to inspire people with motivational quotes, humour and positivity.
His time on this world was too short. Lichfield Cathedral had to be host for his death body, but had to see his spirit was much alive, seeing a sea of yellow as the vigil for Stephen was held this Thursday and Friday. The respons of local shops and homes in Lichfield to an appeal to ‘paint the town yellow’ was nicely followed and the home town, Burntwood, was covered in yellow ribbons in memory of this strong boy who made it possible that many other people could be helped in the future.
At 6pm on Thursday, Stephen’s coffin had left his home in Burntwood by horse-drawn carriage, entering Lichfield by The Bowling Green, passing along The Friary, Swan Road and Bird Street before entering the Close. He was taken into the cathedral at 7pm and laid in a place of honour and given a short opening ceremony at the cathedral. The Cathedral remained open until midnight for people to pay their respects. When I watched the Breakfast Show on BBC I could already see the many people passing from 7am on Friday, before a public farewell ceremony at 3pm that afternoon.
All are welcome to attend. At 3.45pm on Friday, Stephen’s coffin will exit the Close and leave Lichfield for a private family funeral.
His mother wrote on Facebook:
My heart is bursting with pride but breaking with pain for my courageous, selfless, inspirational son who passed away peacefully in his sleep in the early hours of this morning, Wednesday 14th May. The ongoing support and outpouring of love for Stephen will help greatly at this difficult time, in the same way as it helped Stephen throughout his journey. We all know he will never be forgotten, his spirit will live on, in all that he achieved and shared with so many.
It is nice we can see people like Stephen and Matt who had this amazing ability to just make you forget, to have you laughing at old stories or chatting away about what’s been going on at work, and suddenly nothings wrong, you’re not talking to someone who’s ill, you’re just talking to Matt or Stephen. Such personalities are needed in a society who is afraid to face the illnesses that can kill.
Under the constant shadow of terminal bowel cancer – creating a bucket list and spreading awareness to other young people Stephen saw his campaign gain rapid momentum.
In an interview with The Sun when he was well enough, the teenager said:
“You only get one shot at life. I need to make every second count.”
Before his death, Stephen, who was diagnosed aged just 15, said:
“I don’t see the point in measuring life in terms of time any more. I’d rather measure life in terms of making a difference.”
You may say he made a difference and let every second of his life be of some importance by which he also dared to put himself at the side and be there to help others.
It was that attitude which earned the highest praise and admiration, including from celebrities including Benedict Cumberbatch, Jason Manford, Simon Pegg , Russell Brand, Simon Cowell, and Ricky Gervais.
Prime Minister David Cameron went to meet Stephen while in hospital, and following his death on May 14, said:
“I’m deeply saddened to hear that Stephen Sutton has died. His spirit, bravery and fund-raising for cancer research were all an inspiration.”
The Mirror front page for tomorrow’s paper. – A fitting tribute to a courageous teenager who was taken too soon.
Rock legend Roger Daltrey paid tribute to Stephen last night.
The Who frontman, 70, said to the Sun:
“The courage of the boy was amazing. Stephen became an inspiration to teenagers around the world.
“His short life will have an impact for years to come. It is very hard for the family but he was so resilient.
“You’d never think he was so ill. He had incredible spirit and encouraged other teenagers not to hide away from the illness.
“The world needs examples like Stephen so teenagers can get the treatment they need.” {Sun Press associates}
Many can learn from how he looked at himself:
“I actually I see myself as very fortunate- despite being incurable for a while I have had a sustained period of very good health where I was able to go out and enjoy things thoroughly…”
“Ultimately, there is no miracle cure for me. I am potentially the most positive and optimistic person in the world, but we have to be realistic with what we are up against. My disease is very advanced and will get me eventually, but I will try my damn hardest to be here as long as possible.”
Jason Manford, who helped to champion Stephen’s fundraising, paid tribute to the teenager as being
“the most inspiring person I’ve ever met”.
The comedian added:
“He was an incredibly positive young man and a credit to his family, to Burntwood and to humanity itself.
“The reason we took to him so passionately was because he was better than us, he did something that none of us could even imagine doing.
“In his darkest hour he selflessly dedicated his final moments to raising millions of pounds for teenagers with cancer.
“Some of Stephen’s words will stay with me and others forever and they are words to live by – ‘life isn’t measured in time, it’s measured in achievements’.
“If that’s true, Stephen, then you had a fulfilling life full of special moments and you will live long in the memory of thousands, if not millions, of people.”
Many well wishers gave a thumbs up as the coffin of Stephen Sutton stood in Lichfield Cathedral during a two day vigil in his memory.
Stephen pictured with his mother, Jane, who left a moving tribute to her son on the Stephen’s Story Facebook page
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The Guestwriters team wishes his family strength and hope they can find comfort that Stephen could inspire many others and followed his dreams, showing others that even when their life sadly may be full of misery it is still possible to enjoy that shortened life.
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Please do find what Stephen Sutton has raised at the Stephen’s fundraising page which stood at Raised: 189% on May 31 2014: £4,164,869.00 raised of £1,000,000.00 targe; 178,284 donations
Follow Stephen’s story on Facebook
Find also about Matthew Burton who was cared for at the YPU unit at the QE hospital Birmingham and who too are fund raising for The Teenage Cancer Trust (though not quite on Stephens scale) : McHeroes London 2 Brighton! … trekking 100km from London to Brighton for Teenage Cancer Trust because they do fantastic work for young people.
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There’s no rule book on how to manage grief or the death of a person you know or have connected with. There’s no right or wrong way to feel and everyone will react differently.
There are some organisations who offer support at times of bereavement and loss.
If you are worried about your health, speak to a doctor or visit www.nhs.uk
See Also:
Stephen Sutton’s Final Inspirational Facebook Photo‘Give Him A State Funeral’: These Stephen Sutton Tributes Are Amazing
Stephen Sutton: How a teenager touched our hearts – and raised over £3m for charity
Inspirational British teen fund-raiser with cancer dies at 19
Stephen Sutton dies aged 19: Recap reaction and tributes after cancer fund-raising hero’s death
Stephen Sutton, teenage cancer fundraiser, has died
Stephen Sutton ‘angry’ over cancer misdiagnosis
Stephen Sutton Vigil: Mourners Celebrate Life Of Inspirational Cancer Teen (Pictures)
Around the Web: Stephen Sutton fund hits £4m mark – News
Stephen Sutton’s vigil to be ‘fun’ and awash with colour – Worldnews …
Stephen Sutton funeral: Hundreds of mourners gather outside Lichfield …
Stephen Sutton vigil to celebrate young cancer victim’s life and inspiration
Stephen Sutton: Vigil for teen cancer fundraiser
Stephen Sutton’s vigil to be ‘fun’
Stephen Sutton funeral: His mother urges mourners not to wear black as a …
Extra parking in Lichfield laid on for Stephen Sutton’s vigil at the cathedral
Mourners celebrating life of Stephen Sutton to give ‘thumbs up’ as they file …
Stephen Sutton’s family announce public vigil
Vigil for Stephen Sutton ahead of cathedral funeral
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