Alan Payne

In December 2017, our family’s world changed when our dad was diagnosed with cancer. He had MDS and needed a bone marrow transplant.

At the end of May 2018, Dad received his bone marrow transplant. After everything he had been through, we finally got the news we had been desperately hoping for — at the beginning of September 2018, Dad was cancer-free.

That same month, we walked the Light the Night together as a family. We walked beside our dad, celebrating his strength, his recovery, and the hope that we had so many more years together.

We never could have imagined how much that walk would come to mean to our family.

Two years later, in September 2020, Dad’s cancer came back. This time, it was more aggressive. He fought as hard as he possibly could, right until the end.

On December 9, 2020, Dad passed away surrounded by his family and so much love.

Our dad put up an incredible fight. He was strong, stubborn, funny, loving, and one of the most important people in all of our lives. He was deeply loved by his family and everyone who had the privilege of knowing him.

Six years ago, we walked alongside him. Today, we walk for him.

Having our dad honoured as one of the people remembered through Light the Night means more to our family than we could ever put into words. We are so proud to be his children, and we will continue to carry his memory with us every step of the way.

Forever our dad. Forever our hero. Forever loved and missed.