{"id":79833,"date":"2023-12-16T17:25:29","date_gmt":"2023-12-16T17:25:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/?p=79833"},"modified":"2023-12-21T09:24:51","modified_gmt":"2023-12-21T09:24:51","slug":"loved-ones-remember-32-year-old-artist-who-died-months-after-brain-cancer-diagnosis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/2023\/12\/16\/loved-ones-remember-32-year-old-artist-who-died-months-after-brain-cancer-diagnosis\/","title":{"rendered":"Loved ones remember 32-year-old artist who died months after brain cancer diagnosis\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">He told his mother: &#8216;Mom, it is what it is. We will all one day return to Mother Nature. It\u2019s just that I have to return earlier&#8217;<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>LAZAROS Sofikitis was months into beginning a full-time career as an artist when he was diagnosed with Glioblastoma at the age of 32.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>His mother, Chrisoula (Chris) Konstantakou, said that when he first went to see a doctor he was offered antidepressants for his headaches, eye pain and lethargy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>She said that Lazaros\u2019 brain tumour was missed, and she wonders at how much more time they may have had with him if it had been caught when he first went to the doctor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He passed away in November 2023 \u2014 eight months after he was diagnosed with a grade 4 Glioblastoma.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>She said: \u201cHis life cycle was smaller, but he kept telling me Mom, it is what it is. We will all one day return to Mother Nature. It\u2019s just that I have to return earlier.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignwide size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/12\/Chris-Graduation-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"Lazaros (left) with his mother (middle) and sister (right). Image credit: Chris Konstantakou\" class=\"wp-image-79857\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/12\/Chris-Graduation-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/12\/Chris-Graduation-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/12\/Chris-Graduation-770x578.jpeg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/12\/Chris-Graduation-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/12\/Chris-Graduation-293x220.jpeg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/12\/Chris-Graduation-1400x1050.jpeg 1400w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/12\/Chris-Graduation.jpeg 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/12\/Chris-Graduation-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"Lazaros (left) with his mother (middle) and sister (right). Image credit: Chris Konstantakou\" class=\"wp-image-79857\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/12\/Chris-Graduation-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/12\/Chris-Graduation-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/12\/Chris-Graduation-770x578.jpeg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/12\/Chris-Graduation-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/12\/Chris-Graduation-293x220.jpeg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/12\/Chris-Graduation-1400x1050.jpeg 1400w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/12\/Chris-Graduation.jpeg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>Lazaros Sofikitis<\/strong> <strong>(left) with his mother Chris Konstantakou<\/strong> <strong>(middle) and sister Maria Sofikiti<\/strong> <strong>(right). <\/strong>Credit: Chris Konstantakou<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>His family and friends spoke of his great love for nature. Natasha Triantafyllidou, referred to as a \u201csecond Mom\u201d by Lazaros and his sister, said he was fascinated by the beauty of Canada. This was his birthplace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Natasha also said that he slept in caves around Crete, where he grew up, on a solo trip at the age of 19. He wanted to enjoy the beauties of the landscape as authentically as possible.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He went on to study forestry at Bangor University. His resting place reflects his fondness for nature and the environment; he is surrounded by trees, meadows and wildflowers in Beacons Park natural burial ground in Bannau Brycheiniog (formerly known as Brecon Beacons).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>His mother said: \u201cHe always reminded us don\u2019t pick the flowers, don\u2019t step on the insects, we don\u2019t need another pair of shoes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A few weeks before Lazaros died, his loved ones started a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gofundme.com\/f\/donate-to-help-lazs-fight-against-brain-cancer\">GoFundMe<\/a> to fundraise for treatment that was unavailable on the NHS. Part of the money raised is being used for his burial, including a tree planting at his burial site.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The rest of the money raised \u2014 almost \u00a315,000 \u2014 will be shared between Brainstrust, Velindre Cancer Centre and Marie Curie in his memory.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Lazaros was a great believer in the power of science, and wanted the funds raised to go to cancer research if they couldn\u2019t be used for his treatment. Before he passed, he said: \u201cIf I can save one person, that would be wonderful.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The \u00a317,200 target on his GoFundMe was reached within less than a week. Natasha believes that it was not only because of his age that people were moved to donate, but also his personality. She said: \u201cHe was the sunshine of my life. He filled me with joy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover alignfull has-parallax\" style=\"min-height:1052px;aspect-ratio:unset;\"><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim\"><\/span><div role=\"img\" class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background wp-image-79860 has-parallax\" style=\"background-position:50% 69%;background-image:url(https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/12\/Laz-and-Alex.jpeg)\"><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-cover-is-layout-constrained\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote has-text-align-right is-style-default has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color has-x-large-font-size wp-elements-786fa462c24fabe0a4220f574260fc6c is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:700\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-b357c8b74f38f5789178209812e29fd5\"><mark style=\"background-color:#ffffff\" class=\"has-inline-color has-black-color\"><em><strong><mark style=\"background-color:#ffffff\" class=\"has-inline-color has-black-color\">If I can save one person, that would be wonderful.<\/mark><\/strong><\/em><\/mark><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-large-font-size\" style=\"font-style:italic;font-weight:400\"><mark style=\"background-color:#ffffff\" class=\"has-inline-color has-black-color\"><em>Lazaros<\/em><\/mark><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:100%\">\n<h6 class=\"wp-block-heading alignfull has-text-align-center\">Alex Kastrinogiannis (left) and Lazaros (right) on a camping trip in the south of Crete in 2016. Credit: Alex Kastrinogiannis<\/h6>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>His childhood best friend Alex Kastrinogiannis, who described Lazaros as being like a brother to him, said that he had a very calming presence, and he made friends easily.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Lazaros helped renovate part of Alex\u2019s family home in Crete a few years ago, graffitiing their backyard walls in the process.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery alignfull has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" loading=\"lazy\" data-id=\"79908\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/12\/one-3-1024x576.jpeg\" alt=\"Lazaros' graffiti in the backyard of Alex's childhood home. Image credit: Alex Kastrinogiannis\" class=\"wp-image-79908\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/12\/one-3-1024x576.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/12\/one-3-300x169.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/12\/one-3-770x433.jpeg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/12\/one-3-1536x864.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/12\/one-3-293x165.jpeg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/12\/one-3-1400x787.jpeg 1400w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/12\/one-3.jpeg 1599w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" data-id=\"79908\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/12\/one-3-1024x576.jpeg\" alt=\"Lazaros' graffiti in the backyard of Alex's childhood home. Image credit: Alex Kastrinogiannis\" class=\"wp-image-79908\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/12\/one-3-1024x576.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/12\/one-3-300x169.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/12\/one-3-770x433.jpeg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/12\/one-3-1536x864.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/12\/one-3-293x165.jpeg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/12\/one-3-1400x787.jpeg 1400w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/12\/one-3.jpeg 1599w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/noscript><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" loading=\"lazy\" data-id=\"79909\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/12\/two-2-1024x576.jpeg\" alt=\"Lazaros' graffiti in the backyard of Alex's childhood home. Image credit: Alex Kastrinogiannis\" class=\"wp-image-79909\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/12\/two-2-1024x576.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/12\/two-2-300x169.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/12\/two-2-770x433.jpeg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/12\/two-2-1536x864.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/12\/two-2-293x165.jpeg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/12\/two-2-1400x787.jpeg 1400w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/12\/two-2.jpeg 1599w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" data-id=\"79909\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/12\/two-2-1024x576.jpeg\" alt=\"Lazaros' graffiti in the backyard of Alex's childhood home. Image credit: Alex Kastrinogiannis\" class=\"wp-image-79909\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/12\/two-2-1024x576.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/12\/two-2-300x169.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/12\/two-2-770x433.jpeg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/12\/two-2-1536x864.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/12\/two-2-293x165.jpeg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/12\/two-2-1400x787.jpeg 1400w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/12\/two-2.jpeg 1599w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/noscript><\/figure>\n<figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-caption wp-element-caption\"><strong>Lazaros&#8217; graffiti in the backyard of Alex&#8217;s childhood home.<\/strong> Credit: Alex Kastrinogiannis<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>He left art everywhere he went. His passion for graffiti in particular began at a young age, when Alex said he would draw on the school desks.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He would go on, said Natasha, to graffiti an entire wall of his school building in Crete. The graffiti remains there to this day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>She described him as having a restless spirit. This was evidenced by his dedication to art.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Lazaros had found a home in Britain\u2019s graffiti capital, Bristol, when he started getting symptoms of his brain tumour.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>His friend and old flatmate Zac Gregory said that Lazaros had saved up enough money to dedicate himself wholly to creating art for six months in mid-2022. He was trying to become a full-time artist in the long run.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>At one point he was working every waking hour, six days a week, on his art. On what was meant to be Lazaros\u2019 day off, Zac was repainting their living room. Lazaros asked if he could graffiti a mural on one of the walls, creating a nature-inspired scene.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns alignfull is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:25%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"681\" height=\"1024\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/12\/Art-pre-tumour--681x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"Lazaros with another of his paintings. Image credit: Chrisoula Konstantakou\" class=\"wp-image-79896\" style=\"width:454px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/12\/Art-pre-tumour--681x1024.jpeg 681w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/12\/Art-pre-tumour--199x300.jpeg 199w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/12\/Art-pre-tumour--770x1158.jpeg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/12\/Art-pre-tumour--293x441.jpeg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/12\/Art-pre-tumour-.jpeg 1000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 681px) 100vw, 681px\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"681\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/12\/Art-pre-tumour--681x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"Lazaros with another of his paintings. Image credit: Chrisoula Konstantakou\" class=\"wp-image-79896\" style=\"width:454px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/12\/Art-pre-tumour--681x1024.jpeg 681w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/12\/Art-pre-tumour--199x300.jpeg 199w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/12\/Art-pre-tumour--770x1158.jpeg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/12\/Art-pre-tumour--293x441.jpeg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/12\/Art-pre-tumour-.jpeg 1000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 681px) 100vw, 681px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>Lazaros with another of his paintings.<\/strong> Credit: Chris Konstantakou<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:50%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"692\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/12\/IMG_20231212_103400-1-min-1-1024x692.jpg\" alt=\"Lazaros' graffiti on his school's wall. Image credit: Natasha Triantafylllidou \" class=\"wp-image-79907\" style=\"width:1006px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/12\/IMG_20231212_103400-1-min-1-1024x692.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/12\/IMG_20231212_103400-1-min-1-300x203.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/12\/IMG_20231212_103400-1-min-1-770x520.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/12\/IMG_20231212_103400-1-min-1-1536x1038.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/12\/IMG_20231212_103400-1-min-1-2048x1384.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/12\/IMG_20231212_103400-1-min-1-293x198.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/12\/IMG_20231212_103400-1-min-1-1400x946.jpg 1400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"692\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/12\/IMG_20231212_103400-1-min-1-1024x692.jpg\" alt=\"Lazaros' graffiti on his school's wall. Image credit: Natasha Triantafylllidou \" class=\"wp-image-79907\" style=\"width:1006px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/12\/IMG_20231212_103400-1-min-1-1024x692.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/12\/IMG_20231212_103400-1-min-1-300x203.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/12\/IMG_20231212_103400-1-min-1-770x520.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/12\/IMG_20231212_103400-1-min-1-1536x1038.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/12\/IMG_20231212_103400-1-min-1-2048x1384.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/12\/IMG_20231212_103400-1-min-1-293x198.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/12\/IMG_20231212_103400-1-min-1-1400x946.jpg 1400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>Lazaros&#8217; graffiti on his school&#8217;s wall.<\/strong> Credit: Natasha Triantafyllidou <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:25%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"778\" height=\"1024\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/12\/Screenshot_20231117_091227_com.android.gallery3d-1-778x1024.jpg\" alt=\"The mural that Lazaros made in his flat in Bristol. Image credit: Zac Gregory\" class=\"wp-image-79934\" style=\"width:513px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/12\/Screenshot_20231117_091227_com.android.gallery3d-1-778x1024.jpg 778w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/12\/Screenshot_20231117_091227_com.android.gallery3d-1-228x300.jpg 228w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/12\/Screenshot_20231117_091227_com.android.gallery3d-1-770x1014.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/12\/Screenshot_20231117_091227_com.android.gallery3d-1-293x386.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/12\/Screenshot_20231117_091227_com.android.gallery3d-1.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 778px) 100vw, 778px\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"778\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/12\/Screenshot_20231117_091227_com.android.gallery3d-1-778x1024.jpg\" alt=\"The mural that Lazaros made in his flat in Bristol. Image credit: Zac Gregory\" class=\"wp-image-79934\" style=\"width:513px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/12\/Screenshot_20231117_091227_com.android.gallery3d-1-778x1024.jpg 778w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/12\/Screenshot_20231117_091227_com.android.gallery3d-1-228x300.jpg 228w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/12\/Screenshot_20231117_091227_com.android.gallery3d-1-770x1014.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/12\/Screenshot_20231117_091227_com.android.gallery3d-1-293x386.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/12\/Screenshot_20231117_091227_com.android.gallery3d-1.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 778px) 100vw, 778px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>The mural that Lazaros made in his flat in Bristol. <\/strong>Credit: Zac Gregory<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Lazaros continued to make art after his diagnosis. Even when he became partially blind as a result of his brain surgery, he painted. He told his medical team that painting was helping him through the fight against his brain tumour \u2014 it was his lifeline.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As he relearned to paint after brain surgery, he found an abstract style best suited his abilities. He gifted his first piece post-surgery to Dr Whitehous, his surgeon. It is hanging in the Neuro-Oncology Centre at University Hospital of Wales.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Lazaros\u2019 mother Chris is also an artist. She is a ceramist at Fireworks Clay Studios in Cardiff, having studied at Cardiff School of Art and Design. Lazaros\u2019 sister Maria Sofikiti also lives in Cardiff, working in hospitality for Cardiff Met University. The Christmas party raffle at her workplace will be raising money for Brainstrust.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Chris said: \u201cWhen young people don\u2019t feel well, they need to take it seriously and go and insist that they be seen and checked at their [GP] surgery. If the surgery says no, there\u2019s nothing wrong and they continue not feeling well, they have to insist.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/society\/2023\/sep\/08\/gp-ignoring-cancer-warning-signs-young-people-oncology-expert\">evidence<\/a>, which she cited, that doctors are missing the early warning signs of cancer in young people because of a lack of data on early onset cancer.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There was great admiration amongst Lazaros\u2019 family and friends for the courage and dignity with which he faced this illness. Everyone spoke of his great sense of humour, his ability to have hours-long philosophical conversations and his love for art and the environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover alignfull has-parallax\" style=\"min-height:1052px;aspect-ratio:unset;\"><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim\"><\/span><div role=\"img\" class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background wp-image-79939 has-parallax\" style=\"background-position:54% 24%;background-image:url(https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/12\/Art-post-surgery-and-tumour-.jpeg)\"><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-cover-is-layout-constrained\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote has-text-align-center is-style-default has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color has-x-large-font-size wp-elements-d3c74d60b2862015d812449cb0ad934b is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:700\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-65e8b819e2a0e656d312cdb82d8c3fea\"><mark style=\"background-color:#ffffff\" class=\"has-inline-color has-black-color\"><em><strong><mark style=\"background-color:#ffffff\" class=\"has-inline-color has-black-color\">When young people don&#8217;t feel well, they need to take it seriously<\/mark><\/strong><\/em><\/mark> <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-large-font-size\" style=\"font-style:italic;font-weight:400\"><mark style=\"background-color:#ffffff\" class=\"has-inline-color has-black-color\"><em>Chris<\/em><\/mark><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:100%\">\n<h6 class=\"wp-block-heading alignfull has-text-align-center\">Lazaros&#8217; abstract painting post-surgery. Credit: Chris Konstantakou <\/h6>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns alignwide is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<p>Lazaros\u2019 mother and sister remember fondly their walks in nature, including Cardiff\u2019s parks, and their visits to National Museum Cardiff with him. They aim to plant a tree in Bute Park in his memory in 2024.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The charities receiving the donations from the rest of the money raised by the GoFundMe offered their thanks.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Brainstrust said: \u201cLazaros was an inspiring force for so many &#8211; as shown by many, many kind messages and the deep sorrow shared at his loss, but also the incredible sum of money raised in his memory.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With the donation we hope to receive, a portion of the funds raised, we promise to use every penny to its greatest potential to further Brainstrust\u2019s mission &#8211; to support people with a brain tumour who are living with the consequences of a cruel diagnosis today and in the future.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;For the 80,000 people in the UK living with a brain tumour diagnosis and the cruel impact that comes with it, it never seems fair. This is amplified when those affected have a full life ahead of them and have touched so many others with their positivity and good nature, like Lazaros clearly has.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Velindre Cancer Centre said: \u201cWe are so grateful for any donation given to Velindre, as a charity we fund a variety of projects across the hospital with the aim of providing as much support as possible to patients and their families. This ranges from funding our specialist nurses, investing in clinical trials and providing welfare support to those who need it most.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We are known as the Hospital of Hope because we go above and beyond for our patients, but this wouldn&#8217;t be possible without fundraising. We would like to say a huge thank you to everyone involved in raising these vital funds in memory of Lazaros Sofikitis.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"803\" height=\"1024\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/12\/Laz-post-surgery-in-bute-park2-803x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-80538\" style=\"width:553px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/12\/Laz-post-surgery-in-bute-park2-803x1024.jpeg 803w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/12\/Laz-post-surgery-in-bute-park2-235x300.jpeg 235w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/12\/Laz-post-surgery-in-bute-park2-770x981.jpeg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/12\/Laz-post-surgery-in-bute-park2-500x637.jpeg 500w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/12\/Laz-post-surgery-in-bute-park2-293x373.jpeg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/12\/Laz-post-surgery-in-bute-park2.jpeg 1111w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 803px) 100vw, 803px\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"803\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/12\/Laz-post-surgery-in-bute-park2-803x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-80538\" style=\"width:553px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/12\/Laz-post-surgery-in-bute-park2-803x1024.jpeg 803w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/12\/Laz-post-surgery-in-bute-park2-235x300.jpeg 235w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/12\/Laz-post-surgery-in-bute-park2-770x981.jpeg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/12\/Laz-post-surgery-in-bute-park2-500x637.jpeg 500w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/12\/Laz-post-surgery-in-bute-park2-293x373.jpeg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/12\/Laz-post-surgery-in-bute-park2.jpeg 1111w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 803px) 100vw, 803px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>Lazaros in Bute Park after his surgery. <\/strong>Credit: Chris Konstantakou <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gofundme.com\/f\/donate-to-help-lazs-fight-against-brain-cancer\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">GoFundMe<\/a> page remains open for donations. From December 16, funds raised will go towards a legacy research project being created in Lazaros&#8217; honour. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Lazaros&#8217; family have also set up a <a href=\"https:\/\/memoryfund.mariecurie.org.uk\/In-Memory\/Lazaros-Sofikitis?success=fund\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Marie Curie Cherished Memory Fund<\/a> to raise more money for end of life care. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>LAZAROS Sofikitis was months into beginning a full-time career as an artist when he was diagnosed with Glioblastoma at the age of 32<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1041,"featured_media":79846,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[92,2,14,3],"tags":[2794,414,1291,10,6274],"coauthors":[8532],"class_list":["post-79833","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-city","category-featured","category-longer-reads","category-news","tag-artist","tag-cancer","tag-cardiff-2","tag-charity","tag-long-read"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v25.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Loved ones remember 32-year-old artist who died months after brain cancer diagnosis\u00a0 - The Cardiffian<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, 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