WATCH: Inverness fuel tanker driver battling cancer is one step closer to receiving critical lifesaving treatment
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A former fuel tanker driver who crashed into empty shop premises after a seizure later found to be caused by the presence of a malignant brain tumour is ‘under pressure’ in the race against time to receive medical treatment that could potentially save his life.
The family are now up against the clock to raise substantial funds by the end of this year in order to go ahead with the treatment.
Steven Fry (33), from Inverness, crashed his lorry into a building in the centre of Beauly in September 2021 and had to be airlifted to Raigmore Hospital.
It was later confirmed that he had suffered a seizure brought on by the presence of a previously undiagnosed tumour.
When talking about the day he was diagnosed, Steven said: “I was upset, but I lived.
“The procedure had left me disabled completely and that was worse. I just wanted to be out of the hospital. I was out within three months, which was very fast for me, but not being able to drive my buses or lorries has been quite a drastic change for me.”
Steven initially rejected the thought of chemotherapy, however the thought of having more time with his wife, Chloe (29) and his two-year-old daughter Piper, motivated him to get the necessary treatment.
He said: “If I had gone with radiotherapy I would have been given seven years left to live, but chemotherapy has given me a minimum of 14 years.
“It’s been so good having the support from my wife and her family, they keep me going.”
Steven had been suffering from a range of symptoms for almost 18 months prior to the accident in Beauly, including headaches, numbness on the right side of his body and a strange aluminium taste in his mouth.
Chloe said: “We were gutted, we were under the impression that his tumour was benign so the minute the word cancer was mentioned, it added another layer of fear and instantly thought of lower life expectancy.”
Chloe has been Steven’s rock throughout this challenging time as she has provided him with unconditional love and support which has been ‘amazing’.
Steven said: “From the very beginning she would cook meals for me and take them to the hospital. Even when she was pregnant with our little girl Piper during 2021 when the crash happened, she still pushed me around in a wheelchair and continues to support me so much.
“To have a wife like her is beyond good.”
Unfortunately, the family’s struggles are not over yet as Steven was diagnosed with brain cancer last year. Devastated by this news, the family launched a crowdfunding appeal in a bid to raise £50,000 for potentially life-saving treatment not yet available on the NHS.
Since the fundraiser launched in November 2023, the family have raised an incredible £24,000 and Steven has been accepted onto a UK-based medical trial. The family are hoping to raise the funds by the end of the year to increase Steven’s chances of living longer.
When talking about the support Steven has received from the community, and afar, he said: “The support has been overwhelming. People who don’t even know me have been willing to support me and donate their hard earned money towards my cause.
“There aren't enough words to thank them all enough.”
When talking about the importance of Steven receiving this treatment, Chloe said: “I feel the treatment is so important for his life expectancy as the treatment offered by the NHS is only expected to stunt the growth of the tumour in order to slow it down, but it will eventually get to the point where there is nothing more that can be done.
“The average life expectancy is 14-years from diagnosis. The therapy seems life changing as in some cases it can get rid of the tumour, but if not, it certainly aims to shrink it which is something the chemo is not aiming to do.
“I just want him around so we can be a family as long as possible and that’s what I am praying this immunotherapy treatment can do for us.”
The couple are ‘delighted’ to be expecting their second child within the next two months, which is sadly the last child Steven will be able to have due to his chemotherapy.
He said: “I can’t wait to have another wee baby, my family is my motivation as I just want to be there to support them through life, see them grow and make as many memories as possible.
“I want to be a part of all of that.”
Chloe added: “We are so excited to complete our family with a new baby who will bring new happiness to us and just move forward being a little team and living life.”
To go ahead with the proposed treatment, it is critical for Steven and his family to raise another £26,000, to which Steven said: “My main wish is to shrink the tumour significantly or get rid of it so I can live for as long as possible with my family.”
Find out more and donate here.
