Andrew Strauss has opened up on the moment his wife Ruth was diagnosed with lung cancer as part of his fundraising efforts.
The former England Test captain’s life changed in December 2017, when Ruth got the news she had incurable ALK-positive small-cell lung cancer. The couple have two sons, Sam and Luca, and the shock of the diagnosis hit the family hard.
Ruth died at the age of 46, four days after Christmas in 2018, having been a picture of strength and stoicism over the final year of her life. Since she passed away, Strauss has been on a determined push to raise awareness about the disease and help others with bereavement.
Lord’s will turn red for Ruth on Thursday for the second day of the second Ashes Test between England and Australia. It is the fifth time the fundraising day has been put on and ahead of the day, Strauss has spoken to The Telegraph about the day the family got the terrible news.
They had been in the midst of moving house and after getting the phone call, Ruth’s first words were to ask the removal men if they wanted a cup of tea. Strauss says that moment goes a long way to explaining what kind of person Ruth was.
“I knew the way Ruth was built,” he said. “When we first heard, I was distraught. It was such an incredible shock, I just thought, ‘I can’t believe this is happening to us.’ But Ruth’s mindset, rather than ‘Why me?’ was ‘Why not me? This happens to people every day. Why should I be any different?’ I found that surprising because she didn’t get angry about how unlucky she was.
“She was very sad that she wasn’t going to be around to see the boys grow up, and because there was so much more she wanted to achieve in her life.
"But she was accepting, and that allowed her to come to me and say, ‘We need to prepare for what’s to come.’ Her message was, ‘The only way I’m going to enjoy the rest of my time on this earth is if I know that we have things set up for when I leave.’ ”
Ruth developed lung cancer despite never having smoked a cigarette. The diagnosis was confirmed after she complained to the doctor about aches and pains.
Red was chosen as the colour of the Ruth Strauss Foundation because it was her favourite. Spectators, supporters, broadcasters, volunteers and sponsors at Lord’s are encouraged to wear something red on Thursday.
The inspiration for the idea came from legendary Australian fast bowler Glenn McGrath, who has overseen the New Year’s match at the Sydney Cricket Ground becoming the “Pink Test” in memory of his wife Jane, who died of breast cancer in 2008.
