Stephen Ellis
Stephen's Story
Stephen Ellis knows firsthand the heartbreak of brain cancer. Five years ago, he lost his sister, Ros, to the disease. Her diagnosis at age 64 came as a complete shock, following an unusual symptom—loss of feeling in her foot.
Even with immediate surgery, Ros was given just 15 months to live. “She couldn’t believe it,” he says. “Apart from her leg, she felt fine. She couldn’t understand that she wouldn’t be alive in just over a year.”
Ros faced her illness with remarkable spirit, going to concerts, travelling the world, and even making new friends in the West Indies, staying in touch with them until the very end.
In February 2025, Stephen swam the 5km Cole Classic Ocean Swim, raising over $5,000 for Brain Cancer Australia. He hopes his efforts will spark conversations and help to accelerate research innovation.
“Nothing has shifted in decades,” Stephen says. “Ros left behind three children and eight grandchildren; we owe it to families like hers to make progress.”
Read Stephen's story here: https://www.braincanceraustralia.org.au/our-impact/stephen-story
