A dad-of-two who had 'minimal symptoms' tragically died just five months after being diagnosed with bowel cancer.
Toby Bevans had 'none of the traditional' bowel cancer symptoms before his diagnosis at the start of last year, his wife said. Instead, Toby experienced fatigue, backache, and chest pains following flu-like symptoms.
Tragically, however, despite undergoing chemotherapy and radiotherapy, the devastating news that no further treatments were available came in May. Toby passed away peacefully at home on Father's Day, June 16, 2024, aged 43.
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"Toby's diagnosis came with very few symptoms and none of the traditional bowel cancer flags and was a huge shock," his wife, Ali, said.
"It was literally like a bullet train and the bullet train crashed.
"None of us know what's around the corner, but we can do our best to live our life today."
Following his death, Ali, motivated by her late husband's incredible outlook on life, which remained strong even in his final moments, Ali embarked on a mission to honour his memory. She set up a JustGiving page for Bowel Cancer UK to take part in the 2025 TCS London Marathon, on April 27.
With friends, family, and work colleagues rallying around 'Team Toby', together they have raised over £85,000 in donations.
'Your world just stops in an instance'
Ali and Toby's love story began at university, leading to marriage in 2011 and the birth of their two children, Freddie, now 10, and Tilda, nine.
However, towards the end of 2023, Toby, described as "thoughtful and loving with a zest for life", started experiencing fatigue and backache, which didn't raise immediate concern until he caught the flu in December 2023. With persistent chest pain and a lack of recovery, he consulted a GP.
Following further tests, the couple received the devastating news, as Ali recounted, doctors "hit (them) with the horrendous diagnosis".
In January 2024, they learned that Toby had stage 4 bowel cancer, which had metastasised to his liver and bones. "Your world just stops in an instant," Ali shared.
"Your life is never the same from that moment."
Ali says she entered what she called the "fight stage", eager to do everything possible to "make life as good as (she) could for Toby". He underwent chemotherapy and radiotherapy in their battle against the disease.
Despite grappling with the "brutal" reality of Toby's condition, Ali said they cherished their time together, finding solace in simple joys like sharing smiles and enjoying the outdoors. "I think it puts everything into perspective and it gives you so much clarity," she said.
"In the end, from his diagnosis to the day that he died, it was just under five months and, at the end of May, we knew that he was going to die."
Ali dedicated her efforts to making Toby's final days as comfortable as possible, finding "incredible" support from Thames Hospice. She said: "He died on Father's Day, which was very poignant, very Toby.
"I don't think it's something you can ever prepare yourself for... but I was with him at the end and I was very grateful for that."
Incredible fundraising efforts
As Toby's time in hospital drew to a close, Ali considered running the 2025 TCS London Marathon. The idea sparked a fundraising initiative which remarkably gathered over £6,000 in donations within the first 24 hours.
Shortly before his passing, Toby's encouragement led Ali to aim higher when he suggested, "Double your target, go for £50,000, you'll get there."
This spurred Ali, their children, and friends to embark on various challenges while colleagues hosted quizzes, bake sales, 24-hour danceathons, and a silent auction. The fundraising total has now soared to an impressive £85,446.
Ali's sister Vicky Plenderleith is swimming the equivalent of a marathon within 10 days, and the funds raised have enabled Ali and friends, along with her other sister Caroline Divitt, to join the marathon run.
Touched by the outpouring of kindness, Ali said: "It's just amazing because the one thing that Toby was always big on was his friendships.
"Even Freddie summed it up and said, 'Mummy, if we make a difference to just one person's life, it will be worth it'."
After the heart-wrenching loss of Toby, Ali has found solace in the marathon, which she says has provided her with "something positive to focus on" and a way to keep "living for (herself) and the kids", cherishing Toby's memory in their hearts. She anticipates that finishing the race alongside her friends on April 27 will be an intensely emotional moment and is determined to hit her new fundraising goal of £100,000.
She hopes Toby's story raises more awareness of bowel cancer and helps other families "avoid going through what (they've) gone through".
"For Toby at the end, he genuinely said, 'I've got no regrets', and I think for somebody at 43 to say that is incredible," Ali said.
"He said: 'Life is a gift. Do the things that make you feel alive'.
"Toby made the most of every opportunity, and I think living in that way, ultimately, is all you can do."
Pascale Harvie, president and general manager of JustGiving, said: "Through hard work and determination, Team Toby has raised both important awareness and vital funds for Bowel Cancer UK.
"Their story is a powerful reminder of the incredible impact communities can have when they come together."