A Lanarkshire football fan is supporting Bowel Cancer UK’s partnership with his club after being diagnosed with the disease.
Stephen Forrest, from East Kilbride, discovered he had bowel cancer last year and has been a Rangers fan for over 60 years.
Rangers Charity Foundation is pledging to raise £25,000 for Bowel Cancer UK as well as spreading important messages about bowel cancer signs, symptoms and screening.
Stephen, 74, was previously diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2009, but after radiotherapy treatment was cancer free until last October.
Then, another routine test showed he had a cancerous tumour in his bowel.
Stephen told Lanarkshire Live : "As I’ve got older I haven’t attended a match since the Europa Cup Final in 2008 and a Forces Charity Night at Ibrox in 2019.
"But my love of Rangers has never wavered through all these years and this year three events have taken place which have cheered me up immensely as I recover from bowel cancer."
After the cancerous tumour was discovered last October various tests and scans followed and just before Christmas last year, he had a section of his bowel removed.
Stephen added: "Luckily it appears the cancer was caught early and had not spread out of the bowel. It would appear I am once more cancer free and back to almost full health.
“I had mentioned three things had happened whilst I was convalescing. Firstly Rangers went on another incredible, amazing run of victories to the Europa Cup Final in Seville.
“The second event was through my local golf club. I got involved with Rangers Founders trail regarding a founding father of our golf club, David Hill, who was also involved with Rangers at the earliest days of their formation.
"My involvement has resulted in a visit to David Hill's restored grave site in East Kilbride, me writing an article about David Hill's connection for my golf club's Facebook page. And in November, I shall be taking the Founders trail Tour ending with a visit to Ibrox.
“Finally, the involvement of Rangers Charity Foundation in nominating Bowel Cancer UK for 2022 has almost been too much of a coincidence but I'm so proud of them for doing it.
"The cancer being discovered so early and successful treatment being performed means I can look forward to many more years of full health to enjoy family, football, golf and life."
Stephen added: “It’s important to me to share my story to stress the importance of completing regular bowel cancer screening tests.
"All money raised can fund further research to hopefully one day cure this horrible disease. I encourage all Rangers fan to support this initiative by coming forward and posting their bowel cancer stories.”
Connal Cochrane, director at the Rangers Charity Foundation, said: “We know that when bowel cancer is diagnosed early, it is treatable and curable. That’s why it’s so important for people to be aware of signs and symptoms, and for them to visit their GP if something is wrong.
"We are delighted that fans have come forward to share their experiences of bowel cancer to help publicise what to look out for and help others feel more confident about visiting their GP."
Genevieve Edwards, chief executive at Bowel Cancer UK, said: “Rangers has an amazing family of players, fans and staff and we’re thrilled to see them get behind the campaign.
"We know that when people share their experiences of bowel cancer it helps others learn what to look for and feel more confident to visit their GP.”
The symptoms of bowel cancer can include bleeding from your bottom or blood in your poo, a persistent and unexplained change in bowel habit, unexplained weight loss, extreme tiredness for no obvious reason, and a pain or lump in your tummy.
Bowel Cancer UK is looking for members of the Rangers family - fan, player, staff or a member of the community - to share their stories or experiences on their website.
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