Written by Becca Guiller on 28th May, 2026
Kevin is the author of “Stories of Cancer and Hope” which is included in our Comfort Box — a care package thoughtfully created to support people undergoing cancer treatment. After being diagnosed with Melanoma, Kevin turned his experience into an opportunity to raise awareness, inspire others, and share a message of hope.
With May marking Melanoma Awareness Month, and Kevin being a valued supporter of Cancer Card, we felt it was the right time to share his experience.
Born and bred in Edinburgh, Kevin now lives in the Scottish Borders with his wife Sophie and has spent 35 years working in the IT industry throughout the UK. He is a keen hill walker and over the past six years has met and worked with amazing people affected by cancer and wonderful cancer charities including Cancer Card.
His experience with cancer began in 2018, when he was diagnosed with Stage 2b Melanoma. After having had a cyst on his left forearm removed, along with a lymph node at the Western General Hospital in Edinburgh, he was informed in May of that year that he was cancer free. However, just 18 months later, as Kevin was experiencing severe back pain, he was then diagnosed with Stage 4 Metastatic Melanoma, with a tumour on his right lung and one next to his spine.
It was at this point the oncologist confirmed that it was life limiting and incurable, but hoped that with Immunotherapy treatment his life could be extended. Kevin said:
“I felt incredibly isolated as I didn't know anyone with Melanoma or stage 4 cancer.”
In late January 2020, Kevin started Immunotherapy treatment as he received Keytruda/Pembroluzimab infusions at his local hospital in Melrose. The chances of the treatment working were less than 50% so Kevin and his wife had planned to travel the UK and potentially abroad to visit friends and family in-between 3 weekly treatment cycles, if he was well enough.
However, those plans went on hold when just 6 weeks into his treatment, the country went into the first Covid lockdown. His mental health suffered from having to shield from his loved ones and not knowing if he would ever see his mother, sisters and friends again.
Despite this, Covid did enable Kevin, Sophie and their two teenage children, Stephen and Katherine to spend very valuable time together which the family still treasure. It was also during this time Kevin and Sophie received remote support from the local Macmillan centre which was vital at this stage in their lives.
The Immunotherapy came with debilitating side effects but thankfully was successful and Kevin responded very quickly to the treatment. After three years he was told his tumours had disappeared.
Throughout his cancer experience Kevin found great support in other people who have experienced Melanoma and other cancers, which led him to publishing his book “Stories of Cancer and Hope” which is a collection of stories by people with cancer, published by Shandon Publishing Ltd. The book has been included in our Comfort Boxes since 2024 and we are now launching a softback Cancer Card version of the book which has 42 personal stories to bring hope to others in their time of need.
Kevin is still under the care of the Edinburgh Cancer Centre and receives annual scans. Looking back on his experience his main advice to anyone experiencing cancer is not to try and do it on your own. He said:
"There are amazing people and cancer charities that will support you and your family that ask for nothing in return, and finding people that understand is priceless".
We thank Kevin for sharing his experience and working with us here at Cancer Card.
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We’re here every step of the way
Cancer Card is here to support you every step of the way. Whether you have just received a diagnosis, are having treatment or in recovery we have the resources and compassion to support you. Call us on 0131 287 3001 (Monday-Friday, 10am-1pm) for support or visit our website www.cancercard.org.uk
