Terminally-ill patients may not be able to do much because of their health condition but a 19-year old who was diagnosed with bowel cancer three years ago was able to raise millions for a charity that focuses on educating and supporting teenagers battling with cancer.
Stephen Sutton was only 15 years old when he was diagnosed with bowel cancer, the third most prevalent type of cancer in the UK with over 41,000 cases in 2009. Despite surgery, Sutton's cancer spread to other parts of his body and doctors said that his disease is already incurable.
Instead of wallowing in self-pity, however, Sutton decided to help raise money for the Teenage Cancer Trust, a charity organization involved in helping young adults who have cancer, Leukemia and related diseases. The terminally ill-teenager initially aimed to raise £10,000 for the charity, but a farewell message that he posted on his Facebook page last Tuesday resulted in a flood of support to his cause.
More than 120,000 people donated money for Sutton's Just Giving page, which aimed to raise funds for the Teenage Cancer Trust, after the young cancer patient posted what he thought would be his last message on his Facebook page.
"It's a final thumbs up from me! I've done well to blag things as well as I have up till now, but unfortunately I think this is just one hurdle too far," Sutton wrote. "Hopefully some will continue and if you want to carry on the fundraising please do. All future updates on this page will probably be from a family member."
Sutton's condition apparently improved though despite that his tumors remain dangerous. He posted a new message three days later informing his followers that his condition is stable. Sutton's fundraising efforts, however, have gotten floods of support even from celebrities Clare Balding, Jason Mannford and Piers Morgan who urged people to contribute money for Sutton's cause. To date, 127,544 people donated to Sutton's fundraising page raising £3,069,049.13 for the Teenage Cancer Trust.
Although bowel cancer, also known as colorectal cancer, more often develops in individuals who are 65 years old and over, it can also affect younger individuals particularly those with risk factors such as having a family history of the disease.
