Anybody who might be feeling sorry for themselves today should take a few minutes to talk to Leroy Smith.
The Aberdeen pupil support assistant, 42, has undergone a series of personal and family traumas, including the death of his parents, while he was forced to defer his academic studies because he was diagnosed with cancer last year.
Yet, such was the positive impression which the nurses, doctors and other medical professionals made on him throughout his travails that Mr Smith is one of the 23 participants in this year’s Brave shows, for Friends of Anchor, at the Beach Ballroom on May 10 in the Granite City.
He talked this week about the circumstances which combined to stop either of his parents being at his graduation ceremony. There’s nothing which can put a gloss on this story, but Mr Smith was both articulate and compassionate in discussing the details.
He said: “I studied a BSc in Developing and Coaching Sport at Abertay University in Dundee, but I had to get a deferment on my last remaining module when I was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma in March 2018 and I submitted my last assessment for research methods whilst I was between cycle 5 and 6 of chemotherapy.
“I got an A+ for my research proposal. I completed my degree in July, was declared in remission in August and graduated in November due to having to defer my studies.
“I would say that after losing my mum, Thelma, the main thing was to keep going and stay focused even though it was a great loss for my family.
“My father, Adam, was in hospital at the time my mum passed and it was a very difficult time as there was so much going on and I was becoming fairly ill by this time in December 2017, but there was no real option other than to just keep doing what was needed as best I could.
“However, I was diagnosed with a stage 4b non-Hodgkins lymphoma and I knew this was very serious and I did not really know how treatment would go and I did not know if I would make it or not, but I did my best to keep going and stay positive.
“There is so much to cope with going through treatment that it takes over your life and there is a lot to think about and things you have to manage between all the different hospital visits and looking after your health during treatment.”
Mr Smith doesn’t want or expect sympathy. But he is committed to helping raise money for the people who work at the ARI and Friends of Anchor. As he stated, quietly but insistently, they provide hope and inspiration at the darkest times.
He added: “The staff at haematology are brilliant, very supportive and they are a big part of helping me get through what I have been through as well as my family.
“You do need emotional support and that helps a great deal and helps you to keep focused. I can’t say enough good things about the staff at haematology and those who work in the Anchor unit.
“The girls in BLT’S sandwich shop, beside where I stay in Hazlehead, suggested Brave was something I should do.
“I’ve always wanted to give something back because I would not be here if it was not for everything all these wonderful people did for me.”
Mr Smith is relishing the opportunity to take to the stage next month, but unsurprisingly, he still has lingering regrets about the recent past.
He said: “One of the sad things for me is that my father and mother did not live to see me graduate, but my dad knew I had passed my degree because he died last November, just two weeks before I graduated.
“It was sad, but it is just how things turned out. I can only look forward now and hope that I stay in remission and keep healthy.”
