November is Pancreatic Cancer Awareness month. I lost Oliver, my husband of almost 43 years, to this horrible cancer on 22nd May 2020. In his memory I have signed up to raise funds for Pancreatic Cancer UK by walking 24 miles in November. To date I have completed the 24 miles, so have now challenged myself to walk a further 24 miles by the end of November 2020.
This cause is obviously close to my heart. Pancreatic cancer is notoriously difficult to diagnose - it took 9 months and numerous repeated tests and scans etc for Oliver to receive his diagnosis and by then it was Stage 4 with no cure. He was given 4-8 months to live - he made it to 8 but others with this type of cancer do not even get that long. Chemotherapy may help prolong life - but only for a very short time. Unfortunately chemo did not agree with Oliver - he was too weak and frail. Not having the constant hospital visits (often 3 times a week) was a Godsend - being at home together gave us a better quality of life. I am just thankful that he made it just past the 8 months and that he was not in any pain until the day he passed away. Thankfully too I was able to care for him at home and be with him right until the end. Others are not that fortunate.
The money raised will help fund essential world leading research to find that breakthrough in new treatments and improve the speed of diagnosis.
Many thanks to everyone who has donated and for all the support and encouragement I have been given - it has meant the world to me!
