In memory of my dear friend Marc Rushton who passed away tonight after a sudden brain haemorrhage that would have left him paralysed and possibly brain damaged had he survived.
The news that his life support machine was about to be switched off came to me by way of a text message from his distraught mother as we were having the first AGM for Thrivine our HIV support group for which he was a founder member and also a trustee. We were re-electing the trustees at the time and I had been unanimously voted in again as Chair.
Marc was what I described as my ‘main man’ in regard to Thrivine. I was aware that he was seriously ill and that this was likely to happen, I was ready for the bad news, but where there was life there was hope I believed. 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.
Only days before we’d been talking and laughing on the phone about our plan to start an old folks home for people with HIV. We tried to come up with a name incorporating Thrivine or HIV – HIVEN, CLOSER TO HIVEN, HIVEN ON EARTH. We decided it would have to be in Blackpool so that we could ride up and down the prom on our mobility scooters and go to ‘Funny Girls’ and all the drag shows, play bingo and eat fish and chips wearing our “Kiss me quick if you dare,” HIV hats.
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. On the many times he was laid up in hospital he even managed to do things for Thrivine, in fact he signed the new constitution when he was having a blood transfusion – and me so squeamish sitting at his side. I could only do that because of his optimism and sense of humour. He could always make me laugh even when I was at my lowest ebb by doing his Dame Edna Everidge impressions. 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.
“We made it through the rain,” was Marc’s theme song and we adopted it for Thrivine as our group rallying song. We sang it at my sixtieth birthday holding hands in a big circle. Sadly Marc didn’t make it through the rain, but like his name he did make his mark and I will make sure that his mark, that this Marc, Marc Rushton will never be forgotten. Thrivine will go on and do what we set out to do, which is to raise awareness and combat HIV related stigma.
Marc very bravely spoke out on World AIDS Day and revealed his positive status to the media in order to raise awareness in the hope that it would stop other people contracting this terrible anti social disease. In the newspaper article he said, “I feel like I’ve been given this for a reason and I have to talk about it now.”
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 missing you already possum.
ADRIENNE'S HIV BLOG - Hivine's Weblog 
a truly inspiring guy, rest in peace and may your spirit live on within thrivine for your positive energy and goodness you brought our thoughts are with Marcs Mum and family and friends god bless you all
kat x