RAF Sergeant with terminal bowel cancer urges men to ‘put embarrassment aside and get checked’ 

RAF Sergeant and father-of-three, Ian Trushell, 49, has had to step down from 24 years of service after receiving stage four bowel cancer diagnosis.  

In July 2022, Ian, from Northumberland, said he began feeling increasingly fatigued and was frequently experiencing stomach problems.  

At this time, Ian had taken on a new role in the RAF and simply put his symptoms down to work related stress and his age.  

However, one morning he noticed a significant amount of blood in his bowel movement.  

Ian said: “I had no hesitations about going to the doctors. I knew that this was not something I could ignore. I went straight to the GP.  

“I know a lot of guys can get embarrassed about going but that’s what they are there for, it is so important that you put any embarrassment aside and get checked.” 

In August 2022, Ian and his wife of 17 years, Sarah Trushell, 38, were together told that the devastating news Ian had stage four bowel cancer that had spread to his liver.  

“The doctors told us he wasn’t eligible for surgery, but that he could get palliative treatment, which means they can alleviate the symptoms but not get rid of the cancer. We went home that day not sure if he’d even make it until Christmas,” said Sarah.  

Ian continued: “It felt like an out of body experience, it just didn’t sink in. I was in a complete state of shock, and even now, over a year later, I think I still am.”  

In September 2022, Ian was told that the average prognosis of someone with his condition, is two years.  

Ian said: “I was and still am in complete denial. I don’t believe it and I think if I dwell on the two-year time frame I was given, I’ll just spiral into a depression.” 

Despite such difficult news, Ian is doing everything in his power to remain positive and keep fighting. 

“I really think I can beat the time I’ve been given,” he said.  

For Ian and Sarah, the hardest bit was telling their three children, Henry, 14, George, 15 and Eloise, 17. 

“We didn’t tell them straight away because we wanted to wait for a solid plan, we needed to tell them that dad was getting medicine, because to kids medicine makes you better, so we wanted them to at least know that there was some kind of hope,” Sarah said. 

Ian continued: “How do you sugar coat something like that to children? You can’t. There is no way of making it easier.  

“In the end, I couldn’t tell them – I couldn’t face it. I took the dogs out for a walk while Sarah told them.” 

Ian’s palliative treatment began in October 2022, and since then he has endured 16 rounds of chemotherapy.  

In December 2023, the family started crowdfunding on JustGiving with the aim of raising the £50,000 needed for Ian’s private treatment.   

“The cancer has spread a bit like a shotgun blast. It has spread so far in small bits, that they can’t just remove it in one surgery, so I have to explore other options outside of the NHS,” Ian explained.  

Sarah added: “If we can get private treatment that shrinks the spread, Ian could then be eligible for NHS surgery which could mean removing the cancer all together.” 

Initially, the Ian and Sarah felt uncomfortable about asking others for money.  

Sarah said: “We put it off for quite a while because with an illness like cancer there is no set treatment plan, it is always changing, so if we said that we were raising funds for one type of treatment but had to change to the other, we were worried that people would feel lied to. 

“In the end Ian’s sister shared the JustGiving page which gave us the kick up the bum we needed because we really couldn’t risk the cancer spreading anymore.” 

Since setting up a JustGiving page, Ian has received over £16,000 in donations and said he is overwhelmed by the support from his family, friends and in particular the forces.   

Ian said: “I am so lucky to be part of the RAF. Since I was diagnosed, they have been there for me every step of the way. They don’t even bat an eye lid – they just do it.  

“There was a guy that I went through training with, I had barely ever spoken to him, but I saw the other day that he donated £500 to my JustGiving page. I actually got in touch with him to ask if it was a typo and to see if he needed the money back, and he said no and just wished me all the best.  

“I can’t think of any other place you’d get this kind of support other than in the forces. People I don’t know and people I’ve never met from the army and the navy have been supporting me. It’s amazing. Situations like this really show you how generous people are. It really spurs you on, it’s like I’m fighting for them now too.” 

Pascale Harvie, President and General Manager of JustGiving said: “I was very sorry to hear Ian’s story, but, like so many others, I’m inspired by his strength and dedication in not only beating this devastating illness but also in his efforts to raise vital awareness of getting checked. 

“Hundreds of generous people across communities have so far supported Ian and we can’t wait to see him reach his crowdfunding target, so he can get the treatment he needs.” 

To donate to Ian’s JustGiving page, click here.

NOTES TO EDITOR

For further information contact  press@justgiving.com

About JustGiving
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