Page 28 - Inspire Autumn/Winter Edition 2017

Remembering Jeff Forster

Remembering

Jeff Forster

Jeff Forster meant so much to so many.
His wife, Margaret, along with lung cancer
nurse, Alison, share their memories about
the impact Jeff had on them and everyone
he met.

“Jeff was larger than life. Everyone knew him,
many people from when he was a bouncer at our
local club, The Crystal. He was very talkative so
this job suited him down to the ground; he loved
chatting to people and hearing the tales they told.

“I remember he started suffering from a pain in his chest. “He also did everything he could to raise awareness of
He just put it down to indigestion but, after a while, the disease. He wanted other people to be diagnosed
he went to the doctors about it. He was referred to a early like he had been and have the same fighting chance
gastroenterologist but, after that provided no answers, of beating it. He’d take leaflets to the GP surgeries.
he then met with a chest surgeon. It was then he was
diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer. That was in “He was also the face of the ‘Early Detection of Lung
June 2003. Cancer Saves Lives’ campaign. His face was plastered on
mugs, coasters and calendars. It was even in the tunnel of
“Fortunately, it was caught early and Jeff could have Stoke City Football Club!
surgery. He had part of his right lung removed and
needed no further treatment. He recovered so well that “It’s still strange not having Jeff at our monthly get-
two weeks later we went on holiday to Cornwall. together. He played such a huge role in it and is one of
the main reasons it is as successful as it is. But Margaret
“Jeff was extremely grateful to everyone who helped him still comes which is lovely. It’s worth pointing out that
during his diagnosis and treatment. You hear so many sad support groups aren’t just for patients but for everyone
stories about lung cancer and the appalling survival rates affected by lung cancer.
so he knew how lucky he was. He used to get quite
tearful whenever he talked about it.” “We know many people are reluctant to go to
something like this – Jeff certainly was. But he soon
“Jeff was the first member of the Staffordshire support appreciated how important they are. They give you the
group. It’s safe to say he wasn’t enamoured with it chance to talk to others who understand what you’re
initially,” Alison recalls, a smile flashing across her face. going through. They give you the opportunity to ask
questions you didn’t think to ask at an appointment, or
“In fact, he thought it was quite boring! But he stuck with didn’t feel comfortable asking.
it and soon became a fully active member and did
everything he could to support the group. “But, above all, they show you that you’re not alone in
this. There are other people with the same fears, who are
“He’d organise our Christmas meal, the refreshments for facing, or have faced the same challenges, who are here
our meetings. He’d get us all making Christmas to help, support and inspire you.”
decorations together. He was even the group’s resident
bingo caller. It became a running joke –
who was the better bingo caller, We run lung cancer support groups across the UK with most
Jeff or Margaret?! groups meeting up once a month. To find your nearest group,
please visit: www.roycastle.org/supportgroups
28 Inspire 2017