Touching tribute to Kene Madueke, 17, who died of rare cancer

Kene Madueke, who went to school in Garston, died in January after a year-long battle fighting rhabdomyosarcoma – with only around 60 new cases a year diagnosed in the UK. 

His father Udoka said: “Kene was unbelievably brave and courageous from the day of his diagnosis to the day he took his last breath.

“He never complained. He never asked ‘why me?’.”

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The Madueke family. Picture: Peekaboo Studios/Nevina Holland

The 50-year-old said Kene had a keen interest in sports and a passion for education and learning, adding he has memories of him attending online lessons in hospital while wired up to drugs.

Udoka continued: “The doctors were blown away by what this young man was doing.

“He had a thirst for knowledge and was predicted straights As.

“He was also helping other children on the ward with their GCSE maths.”

Having been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer when he was only 16, he underwent “gruelling” radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

The Madueke family at the start of the charity walk. Pictures: Kene Daniel Madueke Foundation

After the first round he was in remission, but four weeks later the cancer returned and this time it was terminal.

It spread to his brain and spinal cord and he began to lose his short and long-term memory before his organs eventually shut down.

Udoka said it was “the most difficult time of our lives”, adding that his son, who grew up in London Colney, never gave up throughout his treatment.

The family have since set up a charity in his honour – with Kene’s determination one of the inspiring factors – which has also helped loved ones deal with the tragedy.

Family, friends and school teachers took part in a charity walk to launch the charity. Picture: Kene Daniel Madueke Foundation

The Kene Daniel Madueke Foundation plans to help children aged 16 to 19 with cancer or a terminal illness by providing counselling services, education resources and financial support.

Udoka said this age group is the focus because there is “a clear lack of provision of care for teenagers aged 16-19 with cancer”.

He added: “They were going to put Kene in adult wards.

“Can you imagine, someone barely 17, sharing a ward with men in their 70s and 80s.”

To launch the charity, a walk was organised on what would have been Kene’s 18th birthday on June 23.

The walk started at Parmiter's School on what would have been his 18th birthday. Pictures: Kene Daniel Madueke Foundation

It started at Parmiter's School, where Kene attended, and finished at the London Road Cemetery in St Albans, where he is buried.

Kene’s family, teachers and school friends joined and £7,500 was raised for the charity’s first fundraiser.

Udoka added: “Kene was such a loving young man. He was always worried about others, such as his mum, Yvonne, and sister, Chisom.

“He wouldn’t want us to be sad. That is why it is important we set up this charity.”

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