Siva Kaneswaren, a member of the band The Wanted alongside the late Tom Parker, has shared his thoughts on the profound impact of Tom’s untimely death at the age of 33.
Currently, Siva is actively involved in supporting Memory Bank, an innovative art display that pays tribute to the journey of brain cancer patients and their families, prompting him to contemplate his own path.
During an exclusive conversation with the Express, Siva revealed how Tom’s passing motivated him to confront his deepest fears head-on.
“After witnessing Tom’s fearless approach to life even in the face of his diagnosis, I realized that death can teach us how to truly live. Following his passing, I immediately challenged myself by undertaking tasks that terrified me. Despite my apprehension, I participated in Celebrity SAS, skated on Dancing on Ice reaching the semi-finals, and dedicated a performance to him on the show,” he reminisced.
“I embraced numerous activities that once intimidated me, including a Spanish theater show that coincidentally aligned with my desire to learn Spanish. Additionally, I reconnected with my family, exemplified by a surprise visit to Ireland from my LA residence for my mother’s birthday,” he disclosed.
Reflecting on his final moments with Tom, Siva acknowledged the emotional depth they shared. “Our bond grew stronger towards the end. We reconciled, expressed sentiments we never imagined voicing, cried together, and trivialized past disagreements. The memories we crafted together are invaluable,” he shared, as reported by the Express.
Following Tom’s passing, Siva and his bandmates found themselves navigating the grieving process under public scrutiny, a reality he discussed with Danny from The Script, who could empathize with the unique challenges of public mourning.
“We both acknowledged the surreal experience of mourning in the public eye. Sometimes, the healing process involves openly addressing our grief, as I do during our US tour with The Wanted 2.0, particularly when performing ‘Gold Forever,’ which holds special significance as Tom’s piece. It’s essential for me to express my emotions, as it helps me cope with the loss,” he confessed.
Driven by these profound emotions, Siva has thrown his support behind the Memory Bank initiative.
“The installation sheds light on one of the greatest fears of glioblastoma patients – memory loss. It rapidly deteriorates, making awareness of positive memories crucial. Tom Parker and his family, known as the ‘positive Parkers,’ avoided negativity and stress, choosing laughter instead. Their approach resonated deeply with me,” he explained.
“When Tom received his diagnosis, he defied expectations by living for 18 months instead of the projected 6 to 12 months. Witnessing his resilience, I saw a true spiritual warrior in action,” he concluded.
The Memory Bank installation is currently on exhibit at Westgate Shopping Centre in Oxford before moving to the GenesisCare Centre in Oxford later this autumn. It is also accessible through the GenesisCare website for further information.