David Turner succumbs to cancer

June 07, 2009

BY DAWN BAUMGARTNER VAUGHAN

dvaughan@heraldsun.com; 919-419-6563

DURHAM -- David Turner died Saturday morning from lymphoma at Duke's inpatient hospice facility in Hillsborough, with his mom by his side.

The 25 year-old had been suffering from stage four lymphoma for the past year. His final months were spent spreading a message of strength amidst struggle and of not taking life for granted.

Turner recently had Roman numerals V:III tattooed on his wrist, to represent the Biblical passage of Romans 5:3-8: "Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us."

The passage is displayed on the Web site for the David Turner Lymphoma Foundation, www.bigdavesbiggift.org. He started the foundation in the past few weeks as a way to raise cancer awareness and funds for the American Cancer Society. During his treatment, friends and family raised thousands of dollars for a stem cell transplant for Turner. But even after several rounds of radiation and chemotherapy, the cancer returned and the transplant was not an option. In March, he knew that he had a slim chance of recovery. In early May, he was given home hospice care and weeks to live. He told The Herald-Sun then that he was happier every day as he was no longer burdened by the unknown of new cancer treatments. Instead, he had made peace with his life and was ready to meet God. He often prayed that God would let him become an angel after his death so he could battle for souls on earth.

Saturday morning, dozens of messages starting posting on Turner's Facebook page as news of his death spread. His good buddy Kinney Thompson, who had visited Turner in the past month, wrote, "I miss ya David, thanks for everything." Others wrote how Turner had been such an inspiration in their lives.

Turner's mom, Suzanne, was with her son when he died. He went into hospice care Tuesday after trouble controlling his nausea. His final days were spent working as much as he could on his foundation's new Web site. He worked laboriously, she said, sitting on the edge of his hospice bed for five or more hours a day.

"He is really passionate about it," Suzanne Turner said. She said his goal is to raise cancer awareness. When David was diagnosed, he was already at stage four, and suspected their might have been earlier signs of the cancer. He also wanted to help raise funds to help others battling cancer.

"It's a wonderful depiction of his heart," Suzanne Turner said. She was laying on a pullout bed beside him when he died around 8:30 a.m. Saturday. He spoke his last words Friday, and that night was active, with him moving around in struggle. Suzanne put her arms around her son to hold him. Being there that night and Saturday morning was a special gift, she said.

Suzanne Turner was a fifth-grade teacher at Easley Elementary School until recently. This past school year, her students met David and helped with his transplant fundraising. The money raised initially for Turner will go to another patient in need of a stem cell transplant. Suzanne Turner will continue her son's foundation, as will friends and family, she said.

A month ago, mother and son spoke candidly about what they were facing. David Turner made jokes, even while in serious pain and unable to eat. He said he was worried about the grief his loved ones would face upon his death. He said he doesn't want anyone to be upset at his funeral. Instead, he wants them to see how great a person he had become. Turner said that he wanted people to gain strength from him, to see that it is possible to have strength in the face of adversity.

Suzanne Turner said Saturday that her son still kept his sense of humor and great attitude during his last days. On www.bigdavesbiggift.org this week, David Turner wrote: "A simple act of kindness is the seed to growing a great world of change. It would be simple to think that one tree may seem insignificant, but if that lone tree drops seeds of its own, it will have no choice but to grow the forest exponentially."

His funeral will be at 3 p.m. Wednesday at Turner's hometown church, First Baptist Church in Collinsville, Va. He planned the service. A visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday night.

© Copyright 2009 by The Durham Herald Company