Woman's tribute to brother after severe headache turned out to be deadly cancer
Graham McKie's sister rescheduled her wedding so he could be part of it after his diagnosis.
A Glasgow woman has paid tribute to her "generous and caring" brother who died only seven months after being diagnosed with cancer.
Graham McKie had been experiencing severe headaches on Boxing Day before he was diagnosed with a grade 4 glioblastoma and given just 12 to 18 months to live.
The devastating news, which came shortly after his younger sister Sharyn Cusack got engaged, left her having to reschedule their wedding so Graham could be part of it. The 32-year-old served as an usher on her big day, reports Glasgow Live.
Tragically, just a few months after the wedding Graham sadly died on August 11, in 2006, surrounded by his heartbroken family. His absence is still deeply felt, especially during family occasions, but it has inspired his family to raise over £50,000 through various activities for the brain tumour cause in the hope of one day contributing to a cure being found.
Sharyn, 49, said: "Our initial plan was to be married in November, but after the doctors said we should move things forward due to Graham's condition, we started to make plans sooner so he could be with us. Arranging the wedding in a short space of time gave us something positive to focus on during that difficult time.
"Although Graham didn't feel comfortable in himself because of the side effects of his treatment, he still insisted on wearing a kilt to match the rest of the wedding party. That was just who he was, a true gentleman.
'It was such a special day and meant everything to have Graham there."
She added: "Graham was the best big brother anyone could ask for. He was generous, caring and would have done anything for me and my sister, Jaclyn, giving us lifts before we could drive, helping with DIY when I got my first flat and always looking out for us.
"Even during his illness, he stayed strong. He never let it change his spirit. I believe he put on a brave face for all of us, right up to the very end."
Sharyn took part in the Glasgow Kiltwalk, walking alongside friends Pamela Wilson and Lynda Scott (in a group known as Team Braveheart) to raise cash and awareness for research into glioblastoma - the most aggressive and most common type of brain cancer.
Brain tumours affect people of all ages, yet just 1 per cent of national cancer research funding has been allocated to brain tumours since records began in 2002.
In Graham's memory, the team raised more than £2,500 in support of the new Scottish Brain Tumour Research Centre of Excellence, a collaboration between Brain Tumour Research and Beatson Cancer Charity. The centre, based in Glasgow and Edinburgh universities, is focusing on research into glioblastoma.
Sharyn said: "There's that old saying that time is a healer, but I'm not sure it's true. You learn to live with the grief, but the feeling of loss never goes away. On birthdays, Christmas, family occasions, there's always someone missing. Graham's absence is still deeply felt.
'Losing him has spurred us on to support others who may be facing the same devastating diagnosis. There is still so little awareness about brain tumours, even though they are one of the biggest cancer killers of young people.
"Before Graham's diagnosis, I hadn't even heard of glioblastoma, and very little about brain tumours. Fundraising gives us a sense of purpose, and the new Centre of Excellence opening in Scotland gives us hope that other families won't have to go through what we did."
Ashley McWilliams, Community Development Manager at Brain Tumour Research, said: "Sharyn's strength and commitment in memory of her brother is incredibly moving. Families like hers are the driving force behind our progress, and we're so grateful for their support."
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