Dave Hodgson dies at the age of forty-one due to an acute form of skin cancer
The corporate communications director for Meydan, Dave Hodgson, passed away on New Year’s Eve after fighting a rigorous battle with a rare form of skin cancer that he suffered from for two years.
He died at a very young age of forty-one, leaving behind a wife and daughter, Olivia, who is seven years old.
He was passionate about the sport, and joined Meydan in August 2009, which was just a few months before he was diagnosed with the cancer called metastatic melanoma.
It is a form that is not found frequently, and is comparatively difficult to treat.
In 2009, Dave Hodgson was informed that he had less than twelve months to live after he had gone through an initial round of treatment.
Instead of keeping his misery to himself, Dave Hodgson shared it with his 2600 followers on Twitter.
Spending his last Christmas at the hospital with his family, he shared: "What an amazing day. Wife, daughter, mum and sister all in hospital room. DVDs, toys, carnage! Bloody ace! And several horrid moments. Wow!!."
He used to get back to work even during his treatment at Chicago, such was his interest in sports and in the job that he was doing.
"Very few people get to achieve their dreams but Dave did," Mrs Hodgson said.
"He loved sport and had always wanted to live in Dubai so when he got the job and we moved here he was where he wanted to be”.
One of his colleagues was reported to have said, "Dave inspired a lot of people and anyone who knew him will never forget him”.
He was such an influential and inspirational figure for so many that the tributes have been flowing in ever since the dissemination of the news by his wife that he is no more.
The racecourse that he was employed with has also paid tribute to its committed and devoted employee.
His funeral is to be held at Warwickshire Church, the same place where he was married not a year ago. It is planned that his ashes will be spread at the Wigan Athletic Football Club and the lake right across his home.
He is an irreplaceable asset for his employers and his memories will be cherished for years to come.
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