The Wanted star Siva Kaneswaran has vowed to honour his late bandmate Tom Parker's wish, by continuing to raise awareness of the disease that killed the singer. Siva, 34, said he wants to "finish what Tom started".
Tom almost one year ago after being diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour. Medics told the singer he had a grade 4 glioblastoma in October 2020, when he was 32 years old.
But after a sudden deterioration in his condition, he died of complications from glioblastoma in March last year. Just weeks before his death, the dad-of-two spoke at a meeting off the All-Party Parliamentary Group of Brain Tumours about his diagnosis.
Tom also spoke out about his frustration that so few advances have been made in the treatment of glioblastoma. Siva has now vowed to "finish what Tom started" and to help raise awareness of the "devastating disease "by supporting Brain Tumour Research's "Wear a Hat Day".
The singer said: "It was important to Tom to do what he could to make a difference and I want to finish what he started. I want people to understand that brain tumours are more common than they think, one in three people knows someone affected.
"The shocking fact is that historically, just 1% of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to this devastating disease. Tom wanted to call that out and I owe it to him and to Kelsey and his kids and to everyone else affected to add my voice in calling for change."
The pair met in 2009 after they were both selected to join The Wanted and they quickly shot to the top of the charts with their debut single 'All Time Low' in 2010. After releasing three albums, the band went on hiatus in 2014 but reunited and went on their Most Wanted: The Greatest Hits Tour in 2021 after Tom's diagnosis.
Siva has now paid tribute to his "inspiring" bandmate, who he said "taught him to embrace life and to make the most of every moment". He said: "Tom’s diagnosis and passing changed my life forever.
"I am still grieving for him and will always feel that pain. But the experience has taught me to embrace life and to make the most of every moment.
"Tom was so inspiring. He laughed and enjoyed every second.
"Even when he was going through the toughest of times, he was fearless. He taught me to embrace life and make the most of every moment, you never know how much time you have."
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Hugh Adams, a spokesman for Brain Tumour Research said that the charity are "really grateful for Siva's support". He said: "We are really grateful for Siva’s support not just in campaigning to secure change but in encouraging people to take part in Wear A Hat Day.
"This is a great event that everyone can take part in. This year we are asking people to pop on a hat, look super for science and help make research breakthroughs happen."
