The 15th of May 2025
- ryanthomas07
- Aug 8
- 5 min read
On the 15th of May 2025, I met with Neil Gray, Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care & Shirley-Anne Somerville, Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice.
I arrived at the Scottish Parliament about 10:30am. One of my MSP’s, Claire Baker, was planning to put a question to the First Minister John Swinney in parliament that afternoon, on the financial impact of a child with a long term health condition, so we went for a coffee in the café in the parliament (I highly recommend it by the way) to quickly discuss what would be contained within the question.
Before I knew it, it was 11:30 and I was whisked away into the debating chamber itself, and sat eagerly awaiting the question from Claire.
(Exert of Transcript - First Minister's Questions - 15th May 2025)
Claire: "My constituent Ryan-Thomas Quinn is in the Parliament today. His friend Aaron Murphy died tragically young, and Ryan is raising awareness of the considerable financial costs for families affected by childhood cancer diagnosis, many of whom are forced to borrow money to cope.
"I recognise that, under special rules for terminal illness, fast-track access to disability payments is in place, and I welcome the guidance for doctors and nurses on ensuring access to those benefits. Could something similar be offered to those affected by childhood cancer? How can we ensure that families are able to quickly access all routes of funding and support following a childhood cancer diagnosis?’"
While Claire was speaking, I watched Shirley-Anne Sommerville, turn to Neil Gray, who was sat next to her, and whisper something in his ear while Claire was talking. Neil then turned to Shona Robinson, the finance secretary, who turned to Kate Forbes, the deputy First Minister, who then turned to John Swinney, the leader of Scotland and the First Minister.
And then he stood up.
Continuation of Exert of Transcript - First Minister's Questions - (15th May 2025)
First Minister: "I am sympathetic to the point that Claire Baker makes, and I welcome Ryan to Parliament. I know that the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care and the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice are meeting him this afternoon, which was no doubt arranged by Claire Baker. I welcome that engagement.
"I commit to the Government engaging on the issue. Claire Baker makes a reasonable point about supporting families with children who are affected by a cancer diagnosis, which is a tragic and traumatising experience to have. I commit my ministers to addressing the issue.
"While I am on my feet, I might say that, several years ago, Perth high school, which educates children in my constituency, lost a child to teenage cancer. A couple of weeks ago, around 400 of the young people ran in the Perth park run to raise money for the Teenage Cancer Trust, which they do every year in memory of the young person who they lost. That is an indication of the absolute solidarity of young people on this tragic issue, and I compliment them on their activities in that respect." [Applause.]’
For those who aren’t aware, applause from the entire chamber is a very rare occurrence, but, as the First Minister sat back down, there was applause from every single MSP in the debating chamber. An incredible sight, and an honour for it (without wanting to sound self-absorbed) to be about me.
As I left the chamber, I was stopped by upwards of 10 people, who all shook my hand and congratulated me. With the help of Claire, I had broken through without saying a single word.
I was then collected by the Health Secretary’s head of office, who began to brief me on the way into the meeting.
We turned a corner, and stood in front of me with his hand outstretched was the health secretary.
He welcomed me into the room, in the middle of which was a long table, with a seat at the top reserved for myself. Shirley-Anne was sat to my left, and Neil Gray to my right. Next to them sat clinical advisors, civil-servants and government staff. Directly in-front of me, at the opposite end of the table was an empty seat. I am sure that it was reserved for Aaron.
And then, I began to talk.
"A child or young person is diagnosed with Cancer in Scotland on average once every 27 hours, 21 minutes and 35 seconds. In 2011, my best friend Aaron became one of those children.
"On average, 1 in 5 of these children and young people will pass away within five years of a diagnosis. In 2019, Aaron became one of those children too.
The more I reflect on what he has missed, the more I think about his final words to me.
‘Live your life for me Ryan’.
"Two weeks tomorrow, it will be 6 years since his passing. In that time, I have started and finished high school, I have started my first job, I have learned to drive and recently bought my first car. But, through all of that I was constantly reminded that Aaron never got to do any of that.
"As I approach 18, I think forward to the freedoms that will come with adulthood. I will have my first legal drink, I will move out of my family home, I will start my career, I will get married, and I will have children. However once again I am reminded, Aaron will not be able to do any of that.
"People often ask me what Aaron was like. The answer? Brave. Despite the challenges that were thrown at him, he never gave up, he never stopped fighting, and he never lost his smile. Although many of his problems were caused by his cancer, I often wonder how many of these could have been solved through meaningful government action, and I will set out my case for that later on today.
"So, with that, I come back to his final words to me and the reason why I am sat here today. I do not sit here today for myself; I sit here today for Aaron and the approximately 4,799 children and young people who have been diagnosed with cancer in Scotland since 2010. I sit here today for the mothers, fathers, siblings and friends, who know all too well the emotional and financial trauma that comes with loving a child with cancer. Most importantly however, I sit here today to speak for the children like my best friend Aaron, who died before they had the chance to live.’
I closed my briefing folder, looked up and realised that everyone in the room, was in silence looking at me. I looked to my left, and noticed Shirley-Anne’s eyes were full, and she dipped her head. I turned to my right, and Neil Gray, was staring at the table, eyes wide open, trying to find words to reply with.
The answer is he couldn’t.
We began to talk about the financial impact, like Claire had raised to the First Minister previously. I asked if anyone around the table could pay their mortgage on £720 a month, like parents with a child with a newly-diagnosed long-term health condition have to do. Unsurprisingly, the answer, was a resounding no.
Through providing real life examples, case studies, and my own testimony, I began to gain concessions from the government, my mind was genuinely (and still is) blown.
The government, were listening to me, and me alone, agreeing with what I said, and promising to change their policy accordingly.
That felt incredible.
Before I knew it, the meeting was over, and Neil Gray left to deliver a statement in the chamber, however, before he left, he shook my hand, and called me an inspiration.
But the truth is, I was only able to do what I did that day because of the bravery that Aaron taught me, and I am eternally grateful.
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