Chris 'Critter' Adams
Strong Enough To Live
Chris “Critter” Adams was 25 and in the prime of his life. He played footy, he trained at the gym four times a week and had recently graduated from University, secured a full-time job and had many plans for his future. He was an enormously gregarious young man with a kind heart and a huge sense of loyalty.
In December of 2014 Critter saw his GP after about a month of headaches and occasional nausea. He was sent for scans. What they found indicated a grade three anaplastic astrocytoma - a brain tumour. From the day of his diagnosis Critter was positive and remained confident that he would beat the odds for survivors of malignant brain tumours. His motto was Strong Enough to Live.
Following surgery in mid-January 2015, Critter underwent radiotherapy and chemotherapy. He and his family were advised that he may only have three to five years to live, BUT he always believed that he would live a long and meaningful life. He managed to go back to work part-time. Critter maintained his very active social life! He continued to make plans for his future and looked forward to living his life fully and passionately.
Sadly, Critter’s health deteriorated, and he was hospitalised a few times. In October, not long after his 26th birthday, he began to experience severe headaches. Scans showed radiation necrosis and potentially another tumour. On Thursday 19th November 2015, following a biopsy two days earlier, Critter died in hospital. It was less than eleven months after his initial diagnosis.
He was passionate and driven and wanted his story/journey to inspire and help others. He left far too early and his work had only just begun. In order to honour his memory, Strong Enough to Live has become a fundraising platform for brain cancer research. Critter and his family encourage everyone to support the NRF. He was and remains a magnificent young man.
SETL has raised an incredible $125,000 through various fundraising activities, including the 2017 Chris Adams Ball, selling SETL merchandise, participating in the City to Bay for 4 years, individual donations, fundraisers and much more
