Shomari Lyon,  is more than just a ‘small town boy’.  Born and raised in the suburbs of London, with his Mum (Angela), Dad (Michael) and two brothers (Kamau and Chinyelu).  In 2012 their world was rocked when their dad was diagnosed with cancer. The Lyon family cared for him at home until sadly he passed away later that year.

Since then, the Lyon family have showed their true strength and continued to do their dad proud...

Kamau works for a new and upcoming start up company in London, Shomari finished studying his Veterinary science degree and their younger brother, Chinyelu, has also just graduated university.  After university Shomari has gone on to become an amazing small animal vet up in Grimsby, where he developed a keen interest in ultrasonography and became much loved by colleges, clients and pets alike!

Now their, and our, world has been rocked again. January this year, while travelling in Australia with his girlfriend Lucy, Shomari, was diagnosed with stage 4 Renal Carcinoma, affecting his kidneys and lungs. Showing his true character Shomari remained positive, strong and determined to fight this thing! Cutting their Australian trip short Shomari and Lucy flew home to start treatment immediately.

While they remain positive renal carcinoma remains one of the rarest type of cancers so treatment is largely experimental and expensive.   Shomari has started trialing a new drug but costs over £7000/month. Lucy has applied to be a full time carer for Shomari and both his brother Kamau and mum have taken considerable time of work to take Shomari to hospital for treatments, care for him and simply spend time together. 

I hope to raise money for Shomari and the Lyon family to help relieve just some of the financial strains the family is going through.  To help go toward the cost of the incredibly expensive treatments and to help while taking time off work to visit doctors, and simply spending quality time with Shomari.  

As much as it hurts to say this out loud I have to put emphasis on the prognosis Shomari has been given for this type and stage of cancer, which is 4-8months, from diagnosis.  The reality of which leaves us speechless, sad, scared, all of the above.  I also can’t emphasise enough how positive and determined Shomari, and his family, have been throughout all of this.  Their strength is astounding, especially when they have been through so much as a family already.  Shomari is the kind of guy that genuinely gets on with anyone, as a student at uni, as a Vet, a collegue. He’s the kind of guy you feel like you’re best mates with even though you just met him 5 minutes ago!  This really couldn’t be happening to a nicer guy.  

Since his diagnosis in January of this year, Shomari recently turned 30yrs old, which he celebrated with his family and girlfriend home.

The photo above is of Shomari and our year group at university, on our final year holiday, and together we are ‘Shomari’s Lions’. So whether you can donate a little, or a lot, join us and become one of Shomari’s ‘Lions’ and say “F**K YOU CANCER!”

Every penny donated is hugely appreciated and sending many thanks in advance!

(For international donations please note donations are set to British Pounds(£) as a default. )