A dad died days after his 40th birthday when the pains in his legs turned out to be cancer.
Darren Mason knew he carried the Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP) gene and faced uncertainty and tests throughout his life because of it. FAP is hereditary and causes multiple polyps [small growths] to grow in the bowel by the time a person is a teen and if not treated can turn into cancer.
The ECHO previously reported how Darren, from Earlestown, St Helens, knew he had the condition and had regular check-ups and had surgery to remove one of the growths in the past. But just before Christmas last year Darren went into hospital for pains in his leg, and was later diagnosed with bowel cancer.
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Earlier this year he was told the cancer had spread to his lungs and there was nothing else that could be done. Darren died on April 10, 2022 just days after spending his 40th birthday in hospital.
The grieving family said they also face a "constant battle" as his daughter Zoya has inherited the same gene. Darren's sister Jackie is also battling the disease and means both will require regular testing and potential surgery.
In the hopes of raising awareness and funds to help find a cure, dedicated family members set themselves the challenge of completing the three Yorkshire peaks. But now, the family want to do more for the cause, and keep their brother's memory alive.
Brother Chris told the ECHO: "It really succeeded our expectations. We raised over £8,000 for bowel cancer which is a phenomenal amount.
"It was a great achievement but then we were like right, what's next? We just want to raise what we can and keep topping up the fundraising page. It's an honour to keep his name going.
"It's getting his picture out there and his memory alive. I work in St Helens college and we do an awards ceremony and we've got an award in his name. It sounds daft but we are doing what we can in his memory.
"We know we can't eradicate it but if we can get a cure or we can help in any way. My niece has the gene and we know what's coming, we know she has to have regular checks and tests and potential surgery, a constant battle, so the more we can do to help research the better."
As well as losing their brother Darren to the disease, Chris, Andy and Jackie also lost their auntie and cousin and Jackie also faces a "constant" battle. Chris added: "Zoya, we know has the gene, and so she will be monitored until a certain age and then we find out if she needs surgery, Jackie, my sister, has had her bowel removed and she's constantly being monitored.
"It's a constant battle but we are doing our best and if we can raise awareness and ensure people know about the disease and know about the gene and keen Darren's memory alive, it's a good thing. People shouldn't brush off any symptoms, if something is wrong then go and get checked. It's the kind of thing that creeps up so it's better to be checked."
The family have now set themselves the challenge to walk the six Snowdon paths in 24-hours. Anyone wishing to donate or to support the family can do so by clicking here.
Chris said: "Darren would be laughing his head off, especially after the last fundraiser but I hope he's proud. It's really helped us with our grief, people deal with it in different ways but I'd like to thank everyone for their support and everyone who has donated. We even had donations from complete strangers. It's the kind of thing that affects so many people and we just want to help."
Bowel Cancer
According to Bowel Cancer UK, your risk of bowel cancer is increased if you have a family history of the disease. The risk is also increased if family members have an inherited gene, one of which is FAP.
FAP is responsible for less than 1 in 100 cases of all bowel cancers and if left untreated, all individuals with this syndrome will almost certainly develop bowel cancer by their 40s. According to Macmillan, FAP causes hundreds or thousands of small growths in the large bowel and can affect other parts of the body.
Some symptoms of bowel cancer can include blood in your poo, a change to your normal bowel habits, a lump, losing weight, pain in your abdomen or cramps and bloating. More information can be found on the Bowel Cancer UK website.
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