Lachie Stephenson was a fit, fun loving and healthy 19-year-old when he was diagnosed with brain cancer – specifically, Diffuse Midline Glioma.
Lach’s family were told his type of tumour had a one percent chance of survival. Throughout his treatment, Lach and his family were determined that he would be that one percent. Right up until two days before he passed away, he was still determined to beat his cancer. He never gave up the fight.
When Lach was diagnosed, there were limited treatment options available for him. He was told he would have six weeks of radiation to try to shrink the tumour. However, he was also told it was highly likely that it would grow back in a more aggressive state. At that stage there wouldn’t be much more they could do for him.
Brain cancer is an incredibly cruel disease. It took Lach’s balance, coordination, vision, speech, the ability to swallow and then to breathe.