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Back on the 5th March a group of strangers entered the conference room at Club Kingswood all with one thing in common, the desire to become "lean in 2016." With the help of each other and the trainers at the club, we have been on an amazing journey, friendships have been formed, goals have been met and smashed and a new mindset has developed.

A group of us have now decided we want to push ourselves a bit further and have entered ourselves into the dirty dozen on 20th August. For most of us, this will be our first ever obstacle run, and as an added incentive, we have decided to run in memory of Reece Hawley, the brother of one of our friends and mentors, Matt Hawley, who was taken from his friends and family at the age of 21 by an aggressive form of brain cancer.

Please take the time to read Reece's story to find out more about his foundation

​                         Reece’s Story 

Reece was a determined, fit and healthy young man. He was the middle child to Richard and Karen with an older sister, Robyn and younger brother Matt. He was soulmate to his long term girlfriend Chelsea. Following 2 years at Palmers College studying Health and Social care he went onto South East Essex College University to study a degree in Early Years teaching at age 18.

On May 1st 2013, the day before his 20th birthday, Reece began to complain of a lack of coordination whilst driving and studying. He had only been ill a handful of times and knowing his body well he asked to be taken to the hospital. He was sent home the following day, with a follow up MRI appointment to be sent to him and painkillers. Over the following week he felt he was getting no better and went back to A&E. An MRI scan showed a mass on his brain which doctors believed to be an AVM (Arterial Venous Malformation). They monitored him closely for a week and after a bleed on the brain decided to operate. The surgery went well and the surgeon was pleased and confident that Reece would have no further problems. 5 days later doctors informed the family that the mass they removed was not an AVM and was in fact a high grade GBM (Glioblastoma Multiforme), aggressive brain tumour.

Reece took this diagnosis in his stride, more worried with how his family and girlfriend would cope with the news than anything else. He had the standard treatment of 6 weeks daily radio/chemotherapy followed by 6 cycles of chemotherapy. Reece flew through these treatment cycles will little side effects, still continuing with his degree and going to the gym almost daily. A follow up scan in October 2013 showed that there had been no enhancement or re-occurrence so the decision was made to continue with his chemotherapy cycle.

In January 2014 Reece began to experience strange symptoms such as hiccups, headaches and generally not feeling himself. These led to him being hospitalised and having an earlier MRI scan then scheduled. The results of this scan showed 2 new tumours had grown just outside the radiation perimeter. Due to these results doctors made the decision of trying a more aggressive type of chemotherapy to attack the new tumours. After 2 cycles of this chemotherapy Reece’s doctors felt that the treatment was having adverse effects on his blood counts so decided on a second surgery to resect the top tumour. Reece had surgery on June 4th which went extremely well and was discharged after 2 days.

On 20th June Reece began experiencing headaches and nausea. Due to sickness he was not able to keep vital mediation in his system so was taken to A & E and admitted. He was monitored for a possible brain bleed but on 21st June suffered from Grand Mal seizures leaving him unresponsive for 40 minutes. His family were told that they should call all those they felt would need to be there and to prepare to say goodbye as there were no more options available.

Reece defied odds over the weekend and when doctors told us they would withdraw fluids and treatment he began responding to us, asking for food and drink. Over the next couple of days he shocked doctors by getting stronger every day and the decision was made that he would go to St Luke’s Hospice for rehabilitation and medication reviews.

The seizures left Reece with limitations but with sheer determination he got up and about walking, did every exercise he was asked and after 2 weeks was allowed to come home.

Reece’s doctors told is family that they would attempt 1 last type of chemotherapy although it would only have a 20% chance of having any affect. The family made the decision to begin fundraising to give Reece a chance of trying a treatment called Avastin. This treatment would cost £5,500 per cycle with a cycle needed every 3 weeks. The response from fundraising was huge and with the help of runs, walks, fun days, raffles, sports rally’s, online auctions, TV appearances and donations, a huge £80,000 was raised over a 3 months period.

Reece was given 2 cycles of Avastin. In this time he visibly became sicker. The family were given donations to take a small 2 week holiday in Cornwall which created unforgettable memories. Upon arriving home Reece became more ill and the following week was admitted to hospital due to issues swallowing and walking. A scan was carried out and the family were given the news that although the Avastin treatments were working, it was not soon enough and the tumours was too aggressive.

Reece was transferred to St Luke’s Hospice so his family and friends could spend as much quality time with him as possible. In his time there the amount of visitors he had was a true testament to how loved he was. His girlfriend Chelsea never left his side and the lounge area was always full of people. On October 16th the hospice helped to arrange a graduation ceremony. Reece graduated with a Diploma in early Years Education surrounded by 30 family and friends.

The morning of 17th October his parents, siblings and girlfriend were told that they wouldn’t have long left to be with him and to be together as soon as they could. Reece waited until his brother and sister arrived and passed away peacefully that morning.

Reece was in no way defined by his brain tumour. He was the kindest most selfless person anyone could have had the privilege of knowing. Throughout his illness he never once complained, never once asked why me and always concerned himself with how those around him were coping. He could never understand why so many people were rallying to help him when so many others needed help. It was his dream to help other people with illness like he had and their loved ones.

This foundation will now carry out the wishes he did not have the time to do himself. Reece touched the lives of so many people in a positive way and he will continue to do that. His concern for other people shows that is not only the person with the diagnosis that has a fight against cancer. It is those who have to care for their loved one, those who give their unconditional support. This foundation will aim to help make the fight that little bit less worrisome for everyone, it will give memories to those whose lives are filled with doctor’s appointments and treatment schedules allowing them to spend irreplaceable time together and it will help carry out Reece’s biggest wish of raising awareness of the awful fight that so many face.

Any donations are gratefully received.

Thank you

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