Aaron's 18th Birthday - My best friend died at 11 after telling me to live my life for him
- ryanthomas07
- Jun 30
- 3 min read
I feel oddly professional now having my own website, but, here we are. I've nearly caught up on the sleep I've missed over the last few months, so I feel like today is a good time to share with you all my perspective of Aaron's 18th Birthday.
Good Morning Scotland
It is 5:02am.
I lay awake, staring at the ceiling of my bedroom, trying to grasp and process the sheer terror and fear that I was feeling over what I was about to do.
I spoke to Aaron, which I do occasionally for some form of self comfort and moral support, took a deep breath, got ready, and by 5:30am, I was driving to Glasgow, belting out 'River Deep Mountain High' by Tina Turner
I arrived at a Starbucks in Rutherglen at about 6:45am. I had a large iced white mocha, which gave me time to wake myself up, and have a final read over my notes before I arrived at the BBC Scotland studios.
I arrived at Pacific Quay at about 7:15am, I was escorted to the BBC Scotland News studio, and I arrived at the green room.
The day before, I'd cut my finger while opening some tinned tomatoes. Unfortunately, said finger decided to start bleeding everywhere about 4 minutes before I was due on air. Luckily, the producer was on hand with a first-aid kit, I cleaned myself up, received some words of encouragement from the editorial team, and then I entered the recording studio, got myself comfortable, put on my headphones, and then at 7:53am, the 'ON AIR' sign lit up above my head.
As I left, I immediately began to receive tens of messages, from friends and family, who had gotten up early just to listen to my voice on the radio. I am so grateful for you all.
On the way out of the building, I was told that my article (written by the amazing Joanne Macaulay) had been posted online, and was the most read of the day so far.
Young Lives vs Cancer
Without the team at Young Lives vs Cancer, chances are I would not be able to do this. The support that I have received from them towards my campaign effort is honestly phenomenal. A special shoutout to Andrew, who I literally have on speed-dial.
The charity had asked me to prepare a video for them to post on Aaron's birthday, in which I asked everyone to write to their elected representatives to ask that they put pressure on the UK and Scottish governments to take meaningful action on childhood cancer.
I only have one voice, and I'm sure people are bored of it already, so, I cannot achieve success from this campaign without the help of others, and I'm honoured that so many of you have written to your MSPs and MPs already!
'My best friend died at 11 after he told me to live my life for him'
Aaron's favourite flowers were tulips. So, on an important anniversary, I always put tulips down at the tree we used to play at when we were young. This time, It was lovely to be joined by Aaron's parents and his little sister there, and afterwards, we headed to their house to watch my piece on the TV.
Afterwards, everyone in the room began to applaud, to which I replied, fairly humbly "well not many people can say they were on the telly on their 18th birthday".
I do not do this for me, I do it for Aaron and the 320 people under 25 diagnosed with cancer each year in Scotland. I do it for the bereaved, the grieving, the traumatised and the upset.
I do it to create change.
Afterwards, we had birthday cake, and then I went home and had a well needed glass of wine.
Happy 18th Aaron x
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