Red Symons speaks about the death of his son Samuel from brain tumour

Broadcaster Red Symons has delivered a touching on-air eulogy to his son Samuel, who died of a brain tumour two weeks ago at the age of 27.

Key points:

Since his first diagnosis at the age of four, Samuel Symons was treated for several cancers throughout his life
He obtained a masters degree and advocated for better support for other young cancer patients
His father thanked the medical professionals who cared for Samuel and the people who had sent messages of sympathy after his death

"Samuel, I have always loved you. I will always love you. I shall always have you," the former ABC Radio Melbourne breakfast host said on 3AW.

Samuel was first diagnosed with a brain tumour at the age of four and in 2010 shared his experience of reaching adulthood with Australian Story.

He passed away after months of treatment for another brain tumour diagnosed in 2017.

Symons paid tribute to his son's determination and intelligence.

"He was remarkable in his own way," the broadcaster told Neil Mitchell.

"At four years old you sort of come to terms with the fact that he's not going to be here.

"Twenty years later, he's got a masters degree. He was the most qualified person in the family.

"Part of the treatment, one of the dangers, is that it can inhibit your intellect.

"He must have started pretty high to do as well as he did."

Samuel sits in a hospital chair with an open box of doughnuts on his lap.

Symons said that in the weeks before his death, he had asked his son how he felt about death.

"And he said, 'I don't worry about death, because it's been part of my life'."

"That's the nature of his involvement with Peter Mac," the broadcaster said of his son's advocacy for other cancer patients.

Symons expressed his gratitude to the specialists who cared for his son over many years of treatment.

"Thank you to the Children's Hospital, the Royal Melbourne, the Peter Mac for doing what you just simply do," he said.

"There is no better place in the world to get sick than Melbourne, Australia.

"If he'd had what he had 50 years, 20 years earlier, he wouldn't have lasted past four."

Samuel Symons always lived his life in a way to make others happy.

He also thanked members of the public who had sent messages of sympathy.

"I have received condolences from complete and utter strangers which overwhelmed me… sincere thanks to them," he said.

At the time of Samuel's death, his mother Elly Symons said in a statement that her son left a "shining example to us all" in the way he responded to illness throughout his life.

"The courage and strength he displayed over 23 years was simply inspirational.

"His dignified humility in the face of adversity was a lesson to us all.

"Rather than complain, he accepted his illnesses with humour, dignity and grace and continued to amaze us by achieving the unachievable."

Victoria's Health Minister Jill Hennessy gave Samuel a volunteering award in 2018 in recognition of his advocacy for cancer patients.

"Samuel Symons never once wavered in his determination to make the lives of fellow young Victorians with cancer just that little bit easier," Ms Hennessy said in a statement at the time of Samuel's death.

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