THE work of an ‘inspiring’ young campaigner was catapulted into the spotlight when an emotional video was broadcast in front of a 10,000-strong crowd.

Former Budmouth College pupil Dean Eastmond, 21, is battling a rare form of cancer, Ewing’s Sarcoma – yet still finds time to fight against LGBT discrimination and write for a number of publications, including HISKIND, the magazine he co-founded.

On Saturday, Dean was attending Pride in London, and was shocked to see a special video with messages from family and friends beamed across Trafalgar Square.

The video was arranged by social change company Shape History, who worked with Pride in London, and wanted to raise awareness of Dean’s work in tackling stigma faced by LGBT people with cancer.

Dean described it as a ‘beautiful moment’.
He added: “I was so overwhelmed and shocked. When the drag queen on stage mentioned a 21 year old with cancer, my initial reaction was ‘oh wow, there’s someone here like me’. It took a while for it to click on that she was talking about me. The video has really shown me how important my friends are to me and (apparently) how important I am to them. I have no idea how they kept it as quiet as they did, but it was a beautiful last moment until I re-start chemotherapy.”

Dean first hit the headlines after speaking out about being sexually assaulted.

The Birmingham University student moved back to Weymouth after his cancer diagnosis. He is set to undergo more chemotherapy, but has been given just a 20 per cent chance of survival.

Last week he was honoured for his campaigning work with an Attitude Pride Award.

Mike Buonaiuto, executive director of Shape History said: “When we first heard Dean’s story we were truly touched and inspired by what he has been working on in spite of going through treatment for cancer.” 

“He’s campaigned and stopped discrimination faced by LGBT people living with cancer wanting to freeze their sperm, he has launched a successful queer culture magazine across the UK for young people, and has written about his struggles going through cancer - inspiring thousands online in the process.”

“When his treatment was unsuccessful we decided as a team we had to do something - and spread Dean’s message to thousands more people in Trafalgar Square on Saturday - surprising Dean in the process. It’s our hope more people will find his work and be inspired.”