West Suffolk parents who died from brain tumours weeks apart, leaving behind their only daughter, have inspired a 280-mile cycle ride to help find a cure for the disease.
Steve Morrissey was diagnosed with a glioblastoma (GBM) at the same time as Ali Slaymaker, the mother of his 13-year-old daughter, who was living with a brain tumour as a result of a previous cancer diagnosis.
Steve, 50, collapsed at home before being rushed to hospital. An MRI scan in July 2022 found three tumours on his brain.
The senior sales manager had surgery followed by gruelling radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Steve’s cancer became too aggressive, and he died on 12th October 2023 in Hospiscare in Exeter, Devon, where he had travelled with his daughter, to spend the final weeks of his life surrounded by family.
Ali was 49 when she died of a brain tumour on 24th August 2023, having previously received treatment for breast cancer.
Steve’s nephew, Ben Brown, 32, from Devon, said: “Our family has experienced so much heartache because of the lack of treatment options for brain tumour patients. It’s devastated our family. I think I’m still processing the shock of losing my uncle Steve so soon after Ali.”
Steve’s family and friends are channelling their grief into help finding a cure for the disease. ‘Steve’s Ride’ is a 280-mile cycle over four days, setting off on Thursday 6th June. It will commemorate Steve and his daughter's final journey together from Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk to Cullompton in Devon.
Construction manager, Ben (pictured above, middle, with parents Liz and Richard), said: “It was important to plan a challenge the whole family can take part in. The strength my little cousin, has shown is incredible and she is going to be setting us off at the start line and cycling with us for the final leg to Padbrook Park, Cullompton.”
He added: “By the end of his life, Steve was taking 15 tablets a day. It was horrible to see someone you love and look up to, deteriorate in front of your eyes. Steve knew he was going to die and was still smiling and putting a brave face on for all his family and friends.
“I’m angry that he is no longer here. We’re in 2024, there has to be better treatment options for brain tumour patients. They are surely worth more than the 1% funding that brain tumour research currently receives.”
To donate to Brain Tumour Research via Ben’s fundraiser, please visit: www.justgiving.com/page/stevesride
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