Pancreatic cancer took away the two people I loved the most. I know that if you have lived through a similar devastating experience, you will understand the shattering impact it has.
Life will never be the same for me but I have found some comfort from trying to help prevent others from facing this heartbreak through leaving a gift in my Will to Pancreatic Cancer UK, as well as looking after my loved ones.
I hope you will consider remembering Pancreatic Cancer UK in your Will as I have. It’s gifts like yours that will spark the crucial breakthrough that we so desperately need. Thank you for reading my story.
My sister Gillian was only 66 when she died from pancreatic cancer in 2012. We had a truly extraordinary relationship and even though she’s no longer here, I still speak to her every day.
Gillian died just three days after her diagnosis and I don’t know how I would have coped without my partner David by my side.
David and I met at university in 1956 when he knocked on my door and asked if I’d join a student demonstration. That was the start of bond that would last for 62 years.
David and I both became teachers. David returned to teach at the grammar school where he’d been a pupil – and stayed for 32 years. I taught with him for a number of years, but ended my career as Head of Special Needs at a college of further education.
After we retired in the early 1990s, we spent every single day together for 30 wonderful years. In February 2006, when it was David’s 70th birthday, we became civil partners, finally celebrating becoming lawful after 50 years together.
In January 2019 David was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Time seemed to stand still when we heard the consultant’s words. It was Gillian all over again.
The weeks following David’s diagnosis were the worst of my life. Everything that could go wrong did, including him fainting on a hot, crowded train after a harrowing hospital appointment.
Although David was eligible for surgery, he never made it as far as the operation. He died three weeks after he was admitted to our local hospital for a preliminary procedure.
Nearly 50% of people die within 3 months of their diagnosis. For some, like Gillian and David, it’s just days, or weeks.
With David gone, I felt helpless and adrift. Then, looking through some of the leaflets the hospital had given me I read about Pancreatic Cancer UK. The more I learned about their research, the more hopeful I felt about the future.
I’ve been particularly inspired by a scientist called Professor Nick Lemoine. He’s a leading pancreatic cancer expert involved in research into developing new treatments, a project made possible thanks to people who left gifts in their Wills to Pancreatic Cancer UK.
Professor Lemoine and his team have made an incredible breakthrough – they’ve identified a protein that can be used to help target treatments so they kill pancreatic cancer cells without damaging healthy tissue. It really looks as though an effective treatment is on the horizon.
I’m absolutely confident that researchers funded by Pancreatic Cancer UK can and will find the answers.
I see it as a privilege to play a part in the pioneering research that could save thousands of lives.
After looking after my loved ones, I wanted to help Pancreatic Cancer UK too and, in return for the gift I’ve pledged, I have the sheer pleasure of knowing I’ll be contributing to the research that promises a brighter future.
At David’s funeral service I spoke directly to him. “David, I don’t know where you’ve gone but eventually, I promise I will find you. When you left, you took half of me with you, but you left half of yourself here on earth with me.” We became as one over the years we were together and it’s my firm conviction that we’ll be reunited.
Until then, I will do what I can to help create a future where lives are no longer devastated by this disease.
I hope you will consider remembering Pancreatic Cancer UK in your Will as I have. It’s gifts like yours that will spark the crucial breakthrough that we so desperately need. Thank you for reading my story.
If you need any more information, or would like to speak to someone about this special way of giving, please contact Clare Norman.
Email: legacies@pancreaticcancer.org.uk
Telephone: 0777 361 8166
