Son’s dying wish was to give hope to others
A family have raised more than £5,000 for charity in memory of a 27-year-old who stayed “brave and strong” right until the end of his life.
Former Mid-Kent College student Josh Stock, from Maidstone, died in November after being diagnosed with blood cancer in August 2019.
Mr Stock, whose son was born less than a year before his death, was told there was nothing more doctorscoulddoafterastemcell transplant failed.
Now, his family are raising awareness and funds for the charity Anthony Nolan, which recruits potential stem cell donors and funds research into blood cancer and disorders. They were shocked to discover that the global register for stem cell donors only listed two potential donors for Mr Stock, neither a 100% match.
In the final weeks of his life, Mr Stock returned to his family home in Tovil Green.
Marc Lemezma, Mr Stock’s dad, said: “He was so brave and strong. He said ‘I just want to be able to help other people, I want other people to have a proper chance of survival.’” “Although the treatment wasn’t successful, his last wish was to help find ways to encourage more potential donors. Josh just wanted to help others in the same situation find some hope.” A Valley Park School student, Mr Stock went on to study catering at Mid-Kent College and worked as a chef in Maidstone pubs.
Mr Lemezma described his son as: “Cheeky, funny and caring. He was loved by everybody and was always willing to help.” After gruelling chemotherapy sessions, in April last year Josh went into remission. But the celebrations were short-lived. Within two weeks he was told the cancer had returned and his stem cell transplant was unsuccessful.
“We lost a son and that hurts every day and continues to hurt,” Mr Lemezma said.
But his family have taken comfort in the amount raised in Josh’s memory and have been “astonished by the incredible generosity” shown. To donate, go to tinyurl.com/KMJoshstock