Brave Martin’s memory will boost charity work

Jun 24 2009 by Judith Tonner, Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser

A GLENBOIG family are honouring the memory of their teenage son and brother, who died from cancer last month, by raising thousands of pounds for the Teenage Cancer Trust.

Martin Gahagan was diagnosed with a sarcoma two weeks before his 18th birthday last December.

Sadly he suddenly lost his six-month battle with the illness on May 28.

Now family, friends and neighbours of the popular student are celebrating his life by contributing to the charity through a series of tributes.

And this will include what is sure to be a packed Barrowlands gig by gifted guitarist Martin’s band, FSG.

A former pupil of Our Lady and St Joseph’s Primary, St Patrick’s High and then the amalgamated St Andrew’s High, Martin was in his first year of a physiotherapy degree at Caledonian University.

He began to feel unwell in early December and within a fortnight, had been tested and diagnosed at Monklands Hospital and transferred to the Beatson oncology unit at Glasgow’s Western Infirmary to begin chemotherapy.

Martin’s mum Teresa said: “They found that he had tumours around his body and behind his eye.

“However, soon the chemotherapy was working and they were shrinking down really well.

“He was only in hospital for chemotherapy sessions and was really positive about getting on with his life.

“Martin was back driving, after passing his test last April, was still going to band practice with his friends.

“He also planned to go back to university after the summer.

“Then he had another scan and they discovered that it was in his brain and doctors told us it wasn’t curable. When the medical staff told him the news, Martin thanked them for what they had done for him.

“I don’t know where he got the strength but he was determined right up until the last day and was even giving encouragement to his younger brother, Michael, for his Standard Grade exams.

“Doctors were still hoping to treat it and buy him some time and even the consultants didn’t think the end would be so quick – we hoped we would have a bit more time with him.”

Martin’s parents Teresa and Paul and brothers Gary, 31, and Michael, 15, requested that a collection be made for the Teenage Cancer Trust at his funeral at Our Lady and St Joseph’s Church in their home village and were stunned when the packed congregation generously donated £1770.

Further funds have poured in thanks to FSG’s hugely successful Barrowland gig – at which Martin had planned to play, and where his friends performed songs he had written – and from donations from the people of Glenboig.

A total of £2785 has been raised to date for the Teenage Cancer Trust, with possible future events including a ceilidh run by his old school, an FSG gig at local pub The Big Shop and a memorial football match involving Glenboig United, the team Martin played for as a youngster.

Dad Paul said: “The support from the village has been tremendous and we can’t thank everybody enough.

“We were totally amazed by the retiral collection at his funeral and it shows both the number of people who were there and their feelings for Martin.

“The support from everyone at church, the pub, different shops and throughout the community has been fantastic. Our family moved here 16 years ago, when Martin was two, and we’ve been welcomed here since day one.

“We always said we wanted to raise funds for the Teenage Cancer Trust – the work they do is phenomenal.

“Their units are fantastic, with chill-out zones, stereo equipment and computer so that patients can play games and catch up with their friends online.”

Teresa paid tribute to their popular son, saying: “He was a wonderful boy, so easy to get on with, and had so many friends – they’re still round at the house and it’s a comfort for us as much as them.

“Martin said from when he was in Primary Five that he wanted to be a physiotherapist.

“He was a high achiever and such a talented musician. Martin started playing guitar in Primary Seven and was self-taught until third year, and even did Advanced Higher music all in his own time.

“Martin’s life deserves to be celebrated – he had so much to achieve and we had so much to give him, and so many people thought a lot of him, so we want to support the Teenage Cancer Trust.”

For more information on the Teenage Cancer Trust, including how to donate, visit www.teenagecancertrust.org.