THE widow of Exeter City's number nine Adam Stansfield, who lost his battle with bowel cancer almost three years ago, said she is still struggling to come to terms with his death.
In a rare interview Marie Stansfield told the Echo that it is only through the support of her friends, family and the wider football community, combined with her work raising awareness of the disease, that has kept her going.
She was speaking during Bowel Cancer Awareness Month which sees Adam's foundation teaming up with the Mr Brightside Project and other key national charities for Know the Score – a campaign aimed at promoting the symptoms of bowel cancer.
Adam's death in August 2010 at the age of 31 is still felt strongly by thousands of fans who continue to sing his name from the terraces at St James's Park. And in her first media interview Marie, who has three young sons, said: "It is over three years ago that Adam was diagnosed with bowel cancer and he began his battle against this horrible disease which he sadly lost in August 2010.
"Since Adam died I am often asked, 'how are you doing?'. I put the brave face on and say yes I'm OK but underneath it all I am still trying to come to terms with losing Adam.
"Our boys and our family keep me going and working on Adam's Foundation gives me something positive to look forward to. The love and support we have all received from our friends within football and outside has also helped us get to this point. Much of our work in Adam's charity is about helping young girls and boys get involved and play football but awareness is equally as important. Adam was a young fit professional sportsman so clearly this disease is not just for the old or unfit, up to 90 per cent of bowel cancers can be successfully treated if caught early enough so if you are worried at all please visit your doctor.
"If we can help save one family from experiencing what we have been going through for the last three years then at least some positives can come out of our loss."
The Know the Score campaign has been backed this month by Exeter City as well as a range of players, managers and match officials from throughout the professional game.
Chairman of the Adam Stansfield Foundation Andy Cole said: "Everyone at the Foundation would like to thank Exeter City and all of the football world for backing this campaign and making it bigger than ever. We are in our third year of campaigning now and do not need reminding of the devastating effects cancer can have so it is even more important to raise awareness.
"Early diagnosis is so important so if you are at all worried about bowel cancer or suffer from any of the symptoms then please visit your doctor and if you would like a Star of Hope Badge our symbol for bowel cancer awareness then please pick one up from the club main reception.
"These are free and are mounted on a small card that identify the main symptoms of bowel cancer."
