Kevin’s Story
“Kev was very positive and always smiling; just one of those people that are always helping others and not thinking of himself. He made everyone feel special.”
Maria, Kevin’s wife
“On 31 May, 2019, Kevin celebrated his 40th in London with family and friends. The next day, he watched his beloved Liverpool FC lift the Champions League Trophy in Madrid, where he was living. 6 weeks later Kevin had a seizure whilst cooking dinner.
A scan and biopsy confirmed the worst news– Kevin had a grade 4 glioblastoma.
Originally from Ireland, Kevin met his wife Maria on a blind date in Liverpool. “Kev was very positive and always smiling; just one of those people that are always helping others and not thinking of himself. He made everyone feel special.”
Kevin had 2 surgeries, chemo and radio. He never once complained, returned to work and enjoyed a normal life, even signing up for the Madrid marathon!
In early 2020 a scan revealed the tumour had spread. By March, as we went into COVID lockdown, he started to experience problems with speech and facial coordination. By the summer the seizures had returned.
Within 10 months of his initial seizures, his speech was slurred, he was beset by hiccups, the left side of his face was beginning to palsy and he had multiple falls.
By September, Kevin’s mobility was very limited and Maria was six months pregnant. The family decided to take him home to Cork. A week later, on 2 October, 2020, 15 months after his diagnosis, Kevin died in hospital, surrounded by Maria, his parents and his sister. His best friends were waiting outside the hospital due to COVID restrictions. Kevin was just 41.
Maria reflects, “I feel really privileged to have spent time with Kev. It was way too short, don’t get me wrong, we were only together for six years, but I know there are a lot of people who don’t experience this love in their entire life. I’m proud of what we achieved together and I’m so grateful that I will always have a part of him through our wonderful son Liam. He will always be proud of his dad.”
Kevin had great trust in science, so we are fundraising on JustGiving for The University of Liverpool’s Glioblastoma (Brain Cancer) Fund to support their research. Part of the funds will go towards a new PhD named after Kev”