Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

I have chosen to support Pancreatic Cancer UK to raise awareness,  because it has touched my family personally.

My Grandad Keith died from this awful disease at the age of 63, he was given just 6 months to live but survived for a year. Watching the deterioation of a man who had everything to live for, who had a great energy for life. Loved to travel, volunteered as a good samaritan, gave so much to others. I have many happy memories of our family time with Keith.

My Auntie Ann also suffered this illness, taking her away too young, aged 62. Leaving her much loved family behind. I have funny memories of my Auntie Ann mostly turning the air blue and having good humor with her girls. She loved a game of bingo and being with her family. 

My Husband's Auntie Karen started feeling nauseous in 2009 and was told by her GP it was stomach acid and nothing to worry about. A few weeks later there was backache and diarrhoea and Karen was exhausted. Karen went back to her GP thinking it was something she had eaten.  Karen struggled on and the symptoms faded. In June 2010 Karen woke up in excruciating back and abdominal pain but again GP diagnosed indigestion. The following month Karen noticed that her eyes and skin were yellow and her skin was very itchy, this is when the GP realised something was very wrong. Karen was assured it wasn't cancer but a liver problem.  Karen then went on to have CT scans that were a 7week wait, luckily Karen was able to use her Husbands private healthcare and 2 days later Karen had a range of tests at St James Hospital in Leeds. By then Karen was black and blue from itching. Karen's consultant then confirmed that they had found a tumour in her pancreatic bile duct. Karen's only option was to have a risky 9hour op to remove her gall bladder, general bile duct and part of your pancreas, small bowel and stomach. Karen made it through this procedure and had good news that the tumour was grade 1 and hadn't spread. Survivors of Pancreatic Cancer do not do well to survive one year and they did very well to survive 2 years. Karen was devastated to think that her time with her husband and their three kids was coming to an end.  Karen had a 6 month chemotherapy course that had to be stopped after 12days as it was affecting her arteries - Karen then thought she had no chance of survival. Against all odds, Karen is here some 5 years later after being diagnosed.  Karen has remained positive and upbeat, became a Nanny to her first grandchild, travelled many places to give anyone holiday envy. Karen's family are extremely proud of her and the work she has done since with Pancreatic Cancer UK, raising awareness and supporting them on the patient and carer advisory board.

I am running this marathon on behalf of my family in support of Pancreatic Cancer UK  and In loving memory of Keith and Ann.

Thank you for taking the time to read and for your support.

£55 - could give support to one patient, family member or carer who has been affected by pancreatic cancer through our information and support service.

£100 - Could pay for a day's research into new treatments, better ways of giving existing treatment or controlling side effects.

£750 - Could pay for the production of a new information leaflet, allowing Pancreatic UK to reach even more people diagnosed.

£1000 - Could pay for ten nurses to attend our Nurse Study Day, updating and training then on current pancreatic cancer issues.

£5000 - Could fund the Pancreatic Cancer UK discussion forum for a year, the forum provides a safe space for people affected by pancreatic cancer to share experiences, stories and support for one another.

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