Exeter University student’s poetic tribute to his mother who died from rare cancer

A University of Exeter student has penned a heartwarming emotional tribute to his mother, who died from a rare cancer when he was just 14 years old.

Sean Tilson, 20, a second-year Business Management student at the University of Exeter, lost his mother to metastatic spindle cell sarcoma six years ago. Spindle cell sarcomas are rare cancers which account for less than half of one per cent (0.06%) of all cancer diagnoses. Since his mother’s death Sean has been involved in a number of challenges to raise money for charity. This year, Sean is doing four challenges in four months to raise money for Sarcoma UK.  On 11th April he will do a 100-mile run in Chester, followed by a sub-3-hour marathon in Exeter on 12th May. Afterwards he will be heading to France to complete an IRONMAN in Nice challenge on 16th June and then finishing with a Lakeland Trails Ultra 100K on 13th July.  Sean’s fundraising page is here: https://www.justgiving.com/page/sean-tilson

Below is the poem which he wrote for his mother and the team at Sarcoma UK, who helped her during her struggle with sarcoma.

Legacy in Every Step  

In the silent halls of memory, where shadows softly fall,
Stands a warrior, brave and tender, answering life’s call.
My mother, a beacon of strength, against sarcoma's darkened tide,
Her journey, a testament of courage, with hope always by her side.

Through the storms of pain and sorrow, there shone a guiding light,
Team Sarcoma, a haven of compassion, in the toughest fight.
They were the anchor in our tempest, a comfort in our plight,
Their unwavering presence, turning darkest night to light.

I run not just for remembrance, but for a future bright and clear,
Each step a pledge, each mile a promise, to hold her memory dear.
From youthful zeal in raising funds to the challenges I now embrace,
Every heartbeat carries her legacy, an unending, loving grace.

Sarcoma, a thief in the night, yet a giver of purpose so profound,
In its wake, a path of resilience, a determination unbound.
For my mother’s undying spirit, in every race I’ll strive,
To champion the cause of sarcoma, keeping her hope alive.

In my stride, her courage echoes, across every track, every field,
Her spirit, a torch I carry, in this battle, I shall not yield.
So with Team Sarcoma I stand, united in this quest,
To run, to fight, to conquer, until our hearts can rest.

With every step, a promise, with every breath, a vow,
To vanquish this unseen enemy, our collective strength endows.
This is my runner’s oath, under the vast, embracing sky,
For a world free from the shadows of sarcoma, where hope never dies.