Cardiff Blue Dragons Wheelchair Rugby League/ Alec Martin

We're raising as much as we can to beat cancer in memory of Alec

Story

Alec was a loved and valued member of the Cardiff BlueDragons Wheelchair Rugby League Team. He found stability and joy being part of an inclusive team where he could participate whatever he was facing. Alec had been diagnosed with a few conditions before being diagnosed with Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumor in 2009. He woke one day complaining of pain in his leg and swelling was evident quickly. The following days brought a diagnosis of cancer, initially treated as Ewings but histology gave Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumor. Weeks and months became a mass of hospital visits but Alec remained positive and began fundraising for charities. Chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery were part of life. As a child just started secondary he should have been learning friends names but instead was learning the names of drugs and blood count figures. Just as he hoped to hear he was clear there was more images and a diagnosis of metastatic spread to the lungs so more surgery. Then after that a further spread to lungs and radio frequency abulation. Nine years clear was due to his determination to beat this but he still faced repeated surgery to save his leg and finally had an amputation. In 2022 a small lump failed to clear and it grew rapidly aged 23 he was told it had returned to his back, surgery removed it but news of spread to lungs and spleen followed. Removal of a lung meant discovery in the ribs and from it became clear there was little chance of beating it this time. Further spread to brain and other places resulted in an end to his battle in Dec 2023 but he remained positive to the end. We are grateful of the time we had together. 1 in 2 people will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. Every single pound you donate makes a difference to Cancer Research UK’s ground breaking work. Donate to my Giving Page today and help bring forward the day when all cancers are cured.