Latest news with #spinalcancer
Daily Mail
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Aussie film legend who produced The Flying Doctors and Cop Shop dies after long cancer battle
Legendary Australian film producer Ian Crawford died on Wednesday aged 91 after a long battle with spinal cancer. He was the son of pioneering Australian film producer Dorothy Crawford, who founded Crawford Productions, and followed his mother's footsteps into the industry. Crawford Productions was founded in 1945 and was one of Australia's most renowned film production companies for many years, making some of the country's most beloved shows. His death was confirmed in a heartbreaking social media statement from a family member. 'Very sad to report the passing this morning at 9.00 of Ian Crawford,' they began. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. 'He died peacefully with family and loved ones at his bedside. He was 91.' Last month, his wife Carole shared a heartbreaking update to social media revealing her husband's health had taken a downturn and he had been hospitalised in Melbourne. 'Ian is in palliative care at Cabrini in Malvern after weeks of really bad back pain. They have discovered he has cancer of the spine which has now spread to his stomach,' Carole wrote. 'He is being looked after every moment by the staff and especially by his children and the whole family. 'Any notes or well wishes you would like passed on can be left in the comments below and they will be shared with Ian.' Heartbroken fans took to social media to pay tribute to Crawford. 'RIP Ian. Sending condolences to the Crawford family,' one person wrote. 'I loved his shows. They kept me entertained,' a second added. Across a three-decade plus career in the industry spanning from the '50s to the '80s, Crawford helped create some of Australia's most beloved TV shows. This included producing the ground-breaking police procedurals Division 4 and Cop Shop, as well as beloved drama The Flying Doctors. He also directed many TV shows, including episodes of The Last of the Australians, Matlock Police and Skyways. Crawford worked with many of Australia's most beloved actors throughout his career, including John Farnham, Rebecca Gibney and Sigrid Thornton. He is survived by his wife Carole and their two children, son Chris and daughter Anna, who acted in several of his shows including The Flying Doctors and Cop Shop.
The Sun
17-05-2025
- Health
- The Sun
‘Fit and healthy' PE teacher, 32, given just 12 months to live after ‘simple football injury' revealed ‘silent killer'
JUST three months ago, PE teacher Matthew Starkey was looking forward to a new house, a new job and a new chapter with his girlfriend. But the 32-year-old's dreams were shattered when a seemingly simple football injury was diagnosed as stage four spinal cancer and he was told he only had a year left to live. 5 5 Within hours, Matthew had proposed to partner Carrie Fleming and the couple set a wedding date for next month. Now, as the sports fan works to complete his bucket list, he is sharing his story on social media and raising cash in a bid to find a treatment that could extend his life. Brave Matthew, whose Instagram account, @fastandtumorous, has 13,000 followers, says: 'The reaction has been absolutely incredible. 'You can't have a tumour without humour. When they told me how long I had to live, I was determined to defy the odds. 'I want to spread the message that no matter how insignificant you feel an issue is, get it checked. 'I refuse to put a timeframe on my life. The tumour may be fast-growing but I'm staying positive. 'The diagnosis was terminal — I aim to prove them wrong.' Matthew dreams of a honeymoon in Italy and a trip to see the Northern Lights. A GoFundMe page with a £50,000 target has been set up to help with his bucket list — and to contribute funding to clinical trials. He has also vowed to walk up the aisle to give Carrie, 29, a 'fairytale' moment on their wedding day. Matthew revealed he was fit and active until last November, working out at the gym four times a week, as well as playing golf and football. What is myeloma? 'I want to make some memories together' When one of his legs began to ache after a game of seven-a-side, he assumed he had pulled a muscle. He later had surgery for a collapsed nerve, but still the pain persisted. In February, Matthew's right leg gave way and tests showed he had an aggressive cancer in his spine. The tumour, a glioblastoma, usually starts in the brain — and only originates in the spine for fewer than ten people in the UK each year. By now unable to walk, Matthew, who teaches business, IT and PE, had an op at Belfast's Royal Victoria Hospital, where he also popped the question to Carrie. He says: 'I didn't want to waste any time. I didn't have a ring on me, but she said yes.' 5 5 More surgery gave Matthew, from Belfast, some respite from the pain but, within weeks, it returned so severely he needed a wheelchair. It was then he decided to share his journey and asked a nurse to record him on his phone talking about what he was going through. Matthew has now undergone daily chemotherapy and 30 sessions of radiotherapy in a bid to stabilise the cancer, and will have a scan this summer to find out if it worked. But with chemo the only remaining option for him in the UK, he is looking at treatments abroad, too. He says: 'They will be expensive. I am raising the money in the hope I could get accepted on to a clinical trial that could extend my life. 'They can't remove the tumour, so it will always be there but, with treatment, I hope there's a chance it can be put into remission. 'Carrie and I have moved into a new home, but we need to adapt it for my wheelchair and I want to make some memories together.' Matthew is also raising money for Friends Of The Cancer Centre, a local charity that funds life-changing projects for people affected by the disease. He hopes to complete September's Belfast half-marathon in his wheelchair for the cause. He says: 'They've shown nothing but compassion, and I want to try to help them. I'd be so grateful for any help from Sun on Sunday readers. I plan to fight this all the way.' 5
