The brother of a Derry man has spoken about how he wants to leave a lasting legacy for his brother who died of prostate cancer last year.
Dr. Liam Campbell, who was well respected in the city, was successful in many areas of life, including being a published author, scholar, singer/songwriter, and playwright - writing the critically acclaimed ‘The White Handkerchief' most recently.
His brother Carl Campbell said that before Liam's death, he had dedicated his life to researching a mitochondrial disease that his granddaughter was suffering from.
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"Liam was very much a family man – firstly with his wife and children and then with his grandchildren," said Carl. "His granddaughter was born with very serious genetic issues which cause heart failure, multiple seizures and also Mitochondrial disease.
"Any one of these issues on its own is life-threatening. When present in combination, they are very worrying. Indeed, the child had been through many severe episodes that required admission to Altnagelvin and Belfast Children’s Hospital. Some of these episodes were life-threatening.
"I witnessed Liam push his ill health, fear and sadness to one side once his granddaughter became so ill. She was about seven years old and prescribed over 20 medications per day to be administered around the clock.
"Liam had a substantial multi-coloured spreadsheet that recorded all the meds and their administration times. His mobile phone had numerous alerts to ensure each dose was the correct period from the next.
"As he did this, he brought his skill as a researcher to bear on finding who the top doctors in this field were. When he discovered a Newcastle-based Professor was engaged in world-leading research and treatments for mitochondrial disease."
Carl continued: "He went to the next conference in Newcastle, introduced himself to the Professor, and persuaded him to treat his granddaughter. She is still one of his patients today and continues to lead as good a life as is possible for her.
"Near the end, Liam’s greatest heartbreak – and there were many – was having to leave her behind."
Liam had been diagnosed with prostate cancer about six years ago when he was 49. His death last year shocked many in the local community.
Carl, who has started a GoFundMe, wants to donate 50% of funding to research to mitochondrial disease and the other half to funds for Prostate Cancer UK.
"At first, the doctors suggested that they might be able to cure it – or even significantly reduce it, allowing him ten or more years at least," said Carl.
"As it turned out, his cancer was a much more uncommon variety called ‘ductal’, which meant it was challenging to detect.
"Liam was told his cancer had escaped the margins removed by the surgeons and appeared in the lymph nodes. He seemed to get one bad test result after another.
"Liam used to tell me that he didn’t seem to get any good news about this disease. That is why I have decided to raise funds for Prostate Cancer UK.
"I believe Liam would approve of a 50% weighting of any funds raised be donated to The Lily Foundation – a leading charity for Mitochondrial disease.
"A person with this disease can suffer from seizures, fatigue, vision and hearing loss, cognitive disabilities, respiratory problems or poor growth."
He continued: "There is currently no cure for mitochondrial disease. However, important steps have been made to make diagnosis faster, easier and less invasive to the patient, and some promising research into effective treatments is underway.
"Please give anything you can and maybe – who knows – we can make a difference. This would be the best legacy for us all and one I know Liam would approve of."
Carl has also organised a music night in Derry Playhouse that brings together many of Liam's friends from the Derry music scene. 'Rock for Research' is set to take place on Monday, August 8 and more information about the event can be found HERE.
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