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Obituaries

Will Stephenson Dies After Valiant Struggle against Cancer

Memorial service Saturday in McLean

Will Stephenson, 23, a graduate of Langley High School, died peacefully Tuesday morning surrounded by family and close friends at his home in McLean, Va.

Will was diagnosed with cancer in May 2006 when he was an 18 year-old college student.  After surgery and treatment, he was cancer-free until August 2009 when he relapsed. 

After a regimen of four cycles of chemo treatment, his tests returned to normal although lesions in the lung were still visible.  Surgery was performed on December 22, 2009, to remove the area of tumor in the right lung upper lobe which turned out to be more extensive than anticipated.  In February 2010, his numbers were good and everyone thought he had beaten the cancer. 

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A month later, Will experienced pain in his right lung area and a PET/CT scan revealed recurrent cancer at the surgery site in the right lung and additional activity in lymph nodes.  Two cycles of additional chemotherapy were administered in May 2010 but his cancer was progressing.

Will and his parents, with whom he lived, sought out consultations with experts in various disciplines. Will had been treated at The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston with traditional chemotherapy. His parents battled with their insurance company  to pay for a bone marrow transplant that costs $335,000.

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They won in early December, he was too sick for a transplant They returned home to McLean later last month.

A Memorial Service will be held 2 pm. Saturday, at Trinity United Methodist Church at 1205 Dolley Madison Blvd., McLean, followed by a reception and celebration of Will’s life in the Fellowship Hall.  Burial will take place at a later date in Illinois.

Will was the only child of Barbara and Al Stephenson, a retired couple who live in McLean. Al Stephenson was the stellar soccer referee coordinator for McLean Youth Soccer for 10 years.

Despite his four and a half year battle with cancer, Will was able to graduate Magna Cum Laude in General Studies from Northern Virginia Community College this past May. He hoped to go on to pursue his bachelor’s degree in a field related to photography and graphic arts. He has also pursued soccer, both as a player and a referee.  He was named “Youth Referee of the Year for McLean Youth Soccer” six years ago.

In addition to his parents, he is survived by a loving grandmother, Lila Baker, Aunt Molly & Uncle Ed Baker, Aunt Francine Baker, Aunt Lisa and Uncle Carlton Stephenson and Aunt Rita & Uncle Wiley King and seven cousins.  

In lieu of flowers, Chesterbrook United Methodist Church of McLean, has established a compassionate fund for the family of William Stephenson.  If you would like to contribute, please send donations to: Chesterbrook United Methodist Church, 1711 Kirby Road, McLean, VA 22101

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