Sports reporter loses leukaemia battle
The Advertiser is sad to announce the death of its sports and news reporter, and friend, Warwick Lane following a brave fight against leukaemia.
Rick, 25, passed away peacefully in the Critical Care Unit in Nottingham City Hospital last night after an unexpected deterioration in his condition.
We never thought we would have to write about Rick in the past tense, because he was such a brave fighter.
He beat leukaemia last year and had returned to a job he loved with vigour and a sense of hope for the future.
The second diagnosis, just weeks ago, was devastating but we believed, as he believed, that he would defeat it again, which is what makes his death all the harder to take.
Our thoughts are with his family and friends and the very many sporting and news contacts that he forged in his time here with us.
Advertiser news editor Dan Churcher said: "Everyone who met Rick cannot fail to have appreciated what a lovely, cheerful, kind guy he was. The world is a lesser place without him today.
"I am proud to have worked alongside him and to have called him my friend.
"He was a brilliant sports reporter, a popular colleague and, more so, a good man. He was somebody we could rely upon and always a happy volunteer to go the extra mile.
"He loved life, lived for his family and friends, loved his job and local sports, as demonstrated by the love the local sporting community showed him in return after his diagnosis.
"I will always be grateful to his family for allowing me to spend a few precious minutes with Rick on Thursday and to hold his hand and wish him farewell.
"Having met his family, I can only say that I now know how Rick came to be such a special person and my thoughts are with them at this time."
Advertiser editor Sharon Hodkin said: "We are all truly devastated by Rick's death. He was so positive at his diagnosis and was determined to beat the illness again.
"This positivity was the thing I will remember most about him. He brightened the newsroom with his humour and enthusiasm. He loved his job and loved meeting people.
"The messages of love and support sent to the Advertiser on Rick's diagnosis shows how well-liked and respected he was in the community.
"He was not just a colleague at the Advertiser but a friend to us all."
The Advertiser would like to thank Nottingham City Hospital for the wonderful care Rick received on Fletcher Ward and in the Critical Care Unit.
While in hospital, Rick launched a campaign to encourage people to join a stem cell register and wrote the story himself from his hospital bed.
Information fliers promoting the Anthony Nolan blood cancer charity were included in bags handed to runners at the finish of Newark Half-marathon earlier this month.
Joining the register involves filling out a form and swabbing cheeks. People can sign up online.
The charity is looking for anyone aged 16 to 30 who is in good health to consider joining.
It particularly needs more young men. Antony Nolan specifically targets 16 to 30 year-olds.
There are charities such as, DKMS, that sign people up until the age of 55.
To spread the word about Warwick’s campaign on social media, use the hashtag #WarwicksWarriors
For more information on the work of Antony Nolan, go to anthonynolan.org/join
