Accrington man who fought to raise HIV awareness dies (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Accrington man who fought to raise HIV awareness dies

2:10pm Friday 28th May 2010

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AN HIV positive Accrington man, who campaigned to raise awareness of the disease, has died.

Marc Rushton, 42, had been living with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus for nearly two years.

The businessman is said to have died peacefully in hospital last Tuesday of a brain haemorrhage.

His family issued a statement which read: “We wish to make it known that Marc has not died of any HIV related illness.

“It would have been quite a number of years before Marc needed any drugs or treatment for that illness.

“Sadly he died from a totally unrelated illness due to blood disorders.

"Consequently he had a brain haemorrhage and was on a life support machine for the last four days of his life.”

Mr Rushton decided to tell his story to the Lancashire Telegraph last October in an article published on World Aids Day.

He was determined to help remove the stigma attached to HIV and AIDS and to fight for more funding to help people affected by the condition.

Speaking at the time, he said: “I've had an amazing life so I don't feel sorry for myself.

“I feel like I've been given this for a reason and I have to talk about it.

“HIV is massively on the increase in East Lancashire.

"And it's not just gay people, it's not just drug users, it is heterosexual people.

"The UK has the highest rates in Europe.

“I think half of the stigma around HIV is attached to a lack of understanding.

“If you don't catch it early enough and if you don't get medicine then it's more likely to become full-blown AIDS.

"That is why we're stressing to everybody to get tested.”

Marc, of Accrington, was a co-founder, trustee and treasurer of Thrivine, a HIV support group based at Eanam Wharf, Blackburn, which helps people living with HIV from Blackburn, Burnley, Preston and Blackpool.

Adrienne Seed, the chairman of Thrivine and a close friend of Marc, praised his bravery and said it was fitting he passed away on the date of its AGM.

She said: “I am sure that Marc chose his moment, that he was with us at that point saying goodbye to us all. To his positive comrades in arms.

“I know how much Thrivine meant to him and how important it would be to him that we carry on.

“We always laughed together even when he was going through what to other people would be considered as insurmountable health problems.

“Marc had an unfailing optimism that denied how ill he really was.

"I knew how ill he was but somehow I thought he’d survive.

“I think he knew in his heart he didn’t have much time.

"His time may have run out but his legacy will never be forgotten. I will make sure of that.”

Marc’s funeral is today at St Mary’s Church, Oswaldtwistle at 10am.

Donations in memory of Marc can be made to Thrivine c/o Hyndburn Funeral Services, Queen's Road, Accrington.

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