Hello! This is our story...

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COVID-19 update

Despite the cancellation of the Brighton Marathon weekend, the team has still been out doing our running today (19/4/20 - which would have been the day)... not wanting to let down our generous sponsors. Don't worry... we've all suffered for your cash! Thank you!
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In 2020, we have just marked 5 years since losing Dave Edmonds to Pancreatic Cancer, and it is also 5 years since Chris Edmonds was diagnosed with the same disease (rubbish timing, right?). 

'We' are a bunch of five current or former Edmondses, who are a son, daughters, nephew, nieces and daughters-in-law of Dave and Chris (though the daughter-in-law wasn't around - or possibly born - for the photo...).

And, for better or for worse, we are doing some running.

Nick is running the Brighton marathon, and Helen, Gail, Naomi and Katharine are taking on the Brighton 10k on 19th April - which conveniently amounts to another marathon in total, and you have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to sponsor us all in one go as we taken on the DOUBLE MARATHON CHALLENGE!

This will not be easy. It's cold, and there are noisy children about. Yet, as we push ourselves through the training, we know the challenge does not compare to that of those who are battling cancer - including our two dear family members.

Having Chris still with us today, and watching her captivate four grandchildren she may never have known, we remain eternally grateful to the skill of the oncology and surgical teams who helped.

This sits in contrast to the sadness of Dave no longer being with us, but through this we also have an opportunity to remember everything he meant to us, and all the good times.

Their strength and bravery remains an inspiration.

Pancreatic Cancer has one of the worst outcome rates of any cancer, with the latest figures from Cancer Research UK showing that less than 1% of those diagnosed achieve a 10 year survival. 

Some ten thousand people will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in the coming year. 1 in 53 UK males and 1 in 57 UK females will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in their lifetime.

One of the reasons it is such a dangerous form is that it is very difficult to detect until it has become quite advanced, and surgery is very complex. We've listed some symptoms to keep in the back of your mind at the base of this page.

However, even between Dave's diagnosis and Chris's new treatments  became available. In Chris's case, an advanced chemotherapy reduced the tumour to an operable size. Progress is being made, and it's vital this is resourced to continue. 

This is why it is important to support charities like PCRF - to increase the chances of longer periods of survival and to maximise the length and quality of life for those diagnosed.

So, in memory of Dave, and in gratitude for Chris and for all who are helping to change the shape of outcomes, and to help us all through the chilly winter training outings - please do consider giving to this very worthy cause. 

Thanks for reading!

Helen, Gail, Naomi, Nick & Katharine

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More information on the early signs of Pancreatic Cancer (from NHS)

The first noticeable symptoms of pancreatic cancer are often:

• pain in the back or stomach area – which may come and go at first and is often worse when lying down or after eating
• unexpected weight loss
• yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes (jaundice) – it also may cause dark yellow or orange pee, pale-coloured poo and itchy skin

Other possible symptoms of pancreatic cancer include:

• feeling sick and being sick
• changes in bowel movements (diarrhoea or constipation)
• fever and shivering
• indigestion
• blood clots

It's important to remember that these symptoms can be caused by many different conditions and are not usually the result of cancer.

But you should contact a GP if you're concerned or these symptoms start suddenly.

More here: 

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pancreatic-cancer/