Footballer’s bid to raise awareness
BY PETER DAVIDSON peter.davidson@reachplc.com
A FOOTBALLER has opened up about the heartbreak of losing his sister to cervical cancer.
Clydebank goalkeeper Scott Morrison told of his sibling Lisa’s 17-month battle with the disease as he helped to raise awareness during Cervical Cancer Prevention Week.
In a video posted on the club’s YouTube channel, the 38-year-old revealed the journey his family went through after Lisa was diagnosed with cancer in September 2010.
Scott, who has also played for Arbroath and Brechin City, said: “As a family, you hear that word and kind of panic. You press that big mad button and you all have a wee meltdown mentally.
“But we tried to put a positive spin on it and, as a family, it was a case of, ‘How can we help Lisa going forward with her treatment and recovery?’
“She started her treatment in October. It was radiotherapy and chemotherapy – and she got a real battering.
“Anybody that’s been in that situation with a family member or loved one will know it’s a hard watch. She lost all her hair, lost all her weight.
“She moved back in with mum and dad. They basically became her carers because she was so weak and ill.
“The first round of treatment was difficult but she came through it.
“In summer 2011, she was back in her flat, phasing herself back to work, driving her car, getting her hair back and was putting the beef on – in the nicest possible way.”
But just months later, Lisa got the news that the treatment hadn’t worked.
Scott recalled: “The cancer was still there and it was going to happen all over again. They ended up giving her radiotherapy every day, so she had a pump fitted, and it was back to mum and dad’s, lost hair and weight.
“It was harder second time round because you knew it wasn’t going well. On January 31, 2012, she was admitted to the Royal (Infirmary) in Glasgow and never made it out.”
Lisa passed away on February 19, 2012.
Scott said: “It was hard times. We’re not the first family to deal with this, and unfortunately not going to be the last but if Lisa’s story can raise awareness and a few more women get themselves checked then it can only be a good thing.”
Visit www.jostrust.org. uk for more information on Cervical Cancer Prevention Week 2020.