Dead at 28, artist denied cancer treatment because she had Covid-19
A YOUNG cancer patient has died after being unable to receive life-prolonging treatment because she had contracted Covid-19.
Stevie Murdoch, 28, a talented graffiti artist, had been diagnosed with incurable cervical cancer only three weeks earlier.
Miss Murdoch, from Dundee, had been given the heart-breaking news that she must wait until she had recovered from the virus before she could begin her life-prolonging treatment.
Tragically, she died before she was able to receive any radiotherapy or chemotherapy.
Her parents, Derrick Murdoch and Sharon Stewart, were with her when she died at Roxburghe House, where she was receiving palliative care, at the Royal Victoria Hospital, in Dundee.
Her devastated father said: ‘The doctors told her there was no cure. They were going to treat her with radiotherapy and chemotherapy to try to prolong her life but they discovered she was Covid-19 positive, even though she was showing no symptoms.
‘They said they couldn’t carry out any treatment until she was clear of the virus. Devastatingly, Stevie died before that happened. Because of the virus we were only allowed to spend the last 24 hours of her life with her in Roxburghe House.’
Cancer treatment can weaken the immune system and, according to Cancer Research UK, could have left Miss Murdoch ‘less able to fight’ an infection like coronavirus.
Miss Murdoch had been feeling unwell for about 18 months before her death and was diagnosed with cervical cancer after the pain caused her to go to hospital.
Her mother said: ‘We were only able to FaceTime her during her last weeks, but we were allowed to go to Roxburghe House at the end. All the time, we were being told she was getting out the day she actually died, so it was just one blow after another.’
Miss Murdoch, described as an ‘amazing’ daughter, had harboured dreams of being an artist from a young age.
She completed an HND in art and design at Dundee College, and had been accepted for Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design to take an honours degree in fine art.
She was a popular figure on the graffiti scene in Dundee, where she was known as Mun.
Following her death, a tribute was painted in her memory at the site of the former Halley’s Jute Mill in Dundee, where she had organised a ‘memorial’ event in 2019 following its demolition.
Miss Stewart said: ‘Stevie was an amazing person, character and artist.
‘Even though she is sadly no longer with us, artists still want to paint and be with her in spirit. A few local artists have already painted in her memory and we now want to organise a graffiti jam and an annual music festival in her memory.
‘Fundraising has already raised about £5,000.’
Miss Murdoch’s funeral took place on May 13 at Parkgrove Crematorium, near Friockheim, Angus, with only 20 present due to coronavirus restrictions.
Her family are planning a memorial to be held later.
A spokesman for NHS Tayside said: ‘Our thoughts are with Stevie’s family during this sad time.
‘NHS Tayside is currently following national guidance when treating cancer patients during the Covid-19 pandemic.’
‘Just one blow after another’