Stu Thomas, a dedicated rugby enthusiast, had his life altered one Monday. The appearance of England World Cup champion Lewis Moody at Twickenham Stadium, carrying the match ball for the recent Australia game, was a significant moment not only for rugby fans worldwide but especially for Stu.
Having recently revealed his battle with Motor Neurone Disease following shoulder weakness during training, the renowned sportsman’s struggle deeply resonated with Tonbridge Juddian rugby player Stu. Like Lewis, Stu, a father of two, received devastating news – a diagnosis of aggressive and incurable brain cancer, with a prognosis of just a few months to live.
Expressing his shock, Stu mentioned, “The news was beyond surprising. It was more a state of disbelief. It was hard to reconcile my physical fitness and lack of symptoms with the diagnosis.” The surgeon bluntly informed him that without intervention, he had about six months to live, which could extend to 12 to 18 months with surgery.
Having been actively involved in rugby for over five decades, starting from his youth with rigorous training schedules, Stu, despite being in prime health, encountered a life-altering seizure one random Monday in June. Leading up to the episode, he had experienced no warning signs, but he noticed difficulty in articulating words that week.
Moved from Maidstone Hospital to King’s College Hospital in London approximately a week later, Stu was diagnosed with glioblastoma, a Grade 4 malignant brain tumor known for its aggressiveness. The average survival rate is about 12 to 18 months, with only a quarter of patients surviving beyond a year and a mere 5% surpassing five years.
Reflecting on his journey, Stu shared, “Throughout the treatment and recent months, there have been no clear signs apart from seizures indicating illness. Every new symptom, even minor ones like earache or fatigue, makes me wonder if they are related. I consider myself fortunate not to have experienced any lasting physical impairments.”
Operating a small gardening business with his wife, Stu was compelled to cease work upon losing his driving license due to his medical condition, effectively leading to his retirement. A year ago, he embarked on a fundraising walk for The Brain Tumour Charity, raising around £18,000 from a trek covering East Kent to the Tonbridge Juddians Rugby Football Club (TJRFC).
Inspired by Lewis Moody’s recent BBC interview detailing his own struggles with the disease, Stu felt motivated to raise funds once more. Lewis, known for his honesty and kindness, resonated deeply with Stu, who empathized with his emotional journey and shared a similar experience.
While Lewis made a poignant return to the pitch on November 2, presenting the match ball before England’s victory against Australia, Stu managed to raise nearly £6,000 for the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, dedicated to MND research. Accompanied by over 30 supporters, Stu’s walk took place on October 18, starting from Maidstone West Station and concluding at the rugby club, where he remains active as a girls’ team coach, overseeing his daughter Phoebe’s participation.