Five years ago, Stephen lost his sister, Ros, to brain cancer.
This devastating experience has motivated him to raise awareness and funds for brain cancer research. In February 2025, he took on the 5km Cole Classic Ocean Swim to support Brain Cancer Australia and our mission to drive more brain cancer breakthroughs – faster.
Ros (centre) with Stephen (left) and her other siblings.
“Brain cancer happens so quickly, and people often don’t talk about it. We need more awareness because every story shared brings us closer to a breakthrough.”
A Complete Shock
Ros’s brain cancer diagnosis came as a complete shock to the family. “My sister went through a situation when she was 64 where she lost feeling in her foot,” Stephen recalls. “They didn’t know what was wrong with her—ligament damage, nerve issues—they worked their way up to the brain. That’s when they discovered a tumour.”
Ros underwent an incredibly intense surgery in the UK where she lived. “She had to stay awake during the entire operation so the surgeons could ensure they weren’t touching anything vital. She had to let them know if she could still see, hear, or feel, so they didn’t accidentally damage something. It was a brutal but necessary process to remove the tumour as safely as possible.”
Even with surgery, Ros’s prognosis was grim. “She couldn’t believe it,” he says. “Apart from her leg, she felt fine. She couldn’t understand how it was attached to her brain or that she wouldn’t be living in 15 months.”
Stephen was by her side as much as possible, traveling frequently from Australia to the UK. One of his most vivid memories is helping Ros pack up her art studio. “It was very emotional. She was tidying up, preparing herself, and saying goodbye to her colleagues. That hit me the hardest—seeing her say goodbye knowing she would be gone within a year.”
Ros faced her illness with remarkable spirit. “She dyed her hair bright orange, then pink. She wanted to do outrageous things that she’d never done before,” Stephen says. “Before her health deteriorated, she went to concerts, travelled, and even made friends in the West Indies, staying in touch with them until the very end.”
Ros (centre) with her family.
Time for Change
Stephen shares the frustration felt by many families who have lost loved ones to brain cancer, grappling with the slow pace of progress.
“Nothing has shifted in decades,” he says. “I get that the brain is incredibly complex, but it’s frustrating when survival rates remain so low. With other cancers—breast, melanoma—there’s hope if caught early. With brain cancer, even at an early stage, chances are slim.”
He believes research innovation is key to change. “Patients are desperate for anything that gives them a chance of survival. I hope AI can help accelerate research. The brain is the last frontier. We know how the heart works, the lungs, even the liver. The brain is uniquely difficult but we have to keep trying.”
Stephen has channelled his experiences into action, raising money for Brain Cancer Australia. He participated in the 5km Cole Classic Ocean Swim this February and raised over $5,000. You can still support his efforts here. The recent news that a friend from his tennis club passed away after a six-month battle with brain cancer has renewed his dedication to raise more awareness.
“I’d love to see more people talking about it and understanding the urgency. Ros left behind three children and eight grandchildren, but only five of them really remember her. We owe it to families like hers to make progress.”
