A FORFAR family has paid a loving tribute to the teenage son and brother who fought an unstinting battle against the cancer that has claimed his young life.
Darren Findlay died at his home in Threewells Drive following the devastating return of the disease which the 19-year-old had bravely fought since the diagnosis of an initial tumour four years ago.
Parents George and Mary and brother George have s
poken proudly of Darren's courage throughout his treatment and in the face of crushing setbacks after it seemed he had won the fight to overcome the illness.
Darren was educated at Langlands Primary School and Forfar Academy, where he was entering the final stages of his education when the family endured the harrowing discovery of a pelvic tumour when he was only 15.
"He went through a year of chemotherapy and radiotherapy and handled it with great determination and courage," said mother Mary.
"Through all the time and all the problems he had he never complained.
"He was just so gutsy and never moaned. He just said, 'I've got it and I've got to get rid of it.'"
Darren was then in remission for ten months and during that time met girlfriend Sarah O'Connor. The pair became inseparable, enjoying holidays and, recently, setting up a flat together.
Darren also enjoyed downhill biking and part-time work at Forfar's Outdoor Store helped him hand-build the bike which he would use on tracks at Balmashanner overlooking the town, and Perth's Kinnoull Hill.
His determination also took him through his driving test at the first attempt when he was just 16 and eligible to sit the exam under mobility legislation.
His mother continued: "Darren was in remission but during a routine x-ray we were told that there was an abnormality."
Cancer had returned to Darren's lungs and last April he underwent major surgery at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary before undergoing further treatment
"He then got the all clear and we were over the moon - absolutely delighted," added Mary.
The family's joy was, sadly, shortlived and when Darren started to feel unwell further tests confirmed the cancer had recently returned and he was unable to overcome the spread of the disease.
The family have also given their heartfelt thanks to the medical experts who treated Darren and the organisations who helped the family over the past four years.
"We would especially like to thank Dr Wilkie and her team at the children's hospital at Ninewells," Mary said. "They were the first to deal with Darren and they are absolutely fantastic."
Darren's funeral takes place at Strathmore Funeral Directors, Forfar on Wednesday at 11 am and thereafter to Forfar Cemetery.
Donations at the service will be taken for TCCL (Tayside Children with Cancer and Leukaemia) and CCLASP (Children with Cancer and Leukaemia Advice and Support for Parents) and Darren's dad highlighted their important role.
"You don't really hear about these sort of groups until you are in this situation, but they do a terrific job helping families and we hope we can give them something to help the work they do," said George.
