Tributes have flooded in for Cain North, the inspirational young man who raised thousands of pounds for charity despite undergoing gruelling treatment for cancer.
Cain, who was named the Ultimate Hero in the YorkMix Hero Awards in 2023, died yesterday. He was 24.
At the age of 22, Cain suffered numerous seizures. He was diagnosed with a stage 3 growing into stage 4 malignant brain tumour.
Cain underwent surgery and was recovering well, even going back to his job as a personal trainer. But at a check-up the doctors told him the tumour had grown a lot quicker than they were expecting.
He had to undergo more punishing and debilitating surgeries and was told he only had a year to live. Despite this, he kept unremittingly cheerful and positive, and never stopped his tireless fundraising for charities including Brain Tumour Research, OSCAR’s Paediatric Brain Tumour Charity and Life For A Kid.
Long-time friend Cameron Coates posted this tribute to Cain on social media: “I still can’t believe I’m writing this but this morning, after a three-year long battle with a brain tumour, my best friend Cain passed away.
“Nineteen years of friendship, laughter, and memories that I will carry with me forever. Thank you for always being by my side and for making moments I’ll never forget.
“Cain’s mission was always to help others. Even while fighting his own battle, he dedicated himself to raising money and awareness for those suffering with brain tumours. That’s the kind of person he was-selfless, caring, and always thinking of others.”
At our YorkMix Hero Awards in 2023, Cain won the Outstanding Bravery Award and was then voted by everyone to be the Ultimate Hero.
One of the hosts, YorkMix Radio’s Laura Castle, said this today: “We had the privilege of meeting and working with Cain on a few occasions whilst he was promoting and fundraising for different charities in North Yorkshire.
“Despite his diagnosis, every time we saw him he didn’t complain, he never said ‘why me?’ Instead he said ‘what can I do to help others?’
“Cain was such an inspiration to so many, raising much needed funds for brain tumour charities but above that, always putting smiles on the people around him. The world has truly lost a good one and we feel so lucky to have crossed paths with such a true hero.”
Numerous tributes have come in. Rugby League All Stars posted: “We are saddened to hear of the passing of Cain North.
“What an absolute superstar who did so much for Brain Tumour Awareness and Life For A Kid.”
Other tributes included these:
“From coaching you on York RLFC Foundation holiday camps 15 years ago to you helping run our Pocklington Touch Rugby League sessions last summer, you showed a true fight – and you always put others first”
“So so sorry to hear of the passing of Cain North today. Such a fun loving, amazingly, inspiring young man who i know will be very sadly missed by so many people”
“Such sad news. Cain North was one of the good guys and such an inspiration to everyone he met.”
“Absolutely heartbroken, what an absolute legend of a bloke you were and always will be remembered by brother, most selfless person with the biggest heart I’ve ever seen. Love you so much Northy“
