Volunteer Ollie’s Story

As always, we love to put the spotlight on inspiring volunteers who are making a huge difference.

Meet Ollie! Ollie has volunteered at our fundraising events and has shared his personal experience at our educational events for health professionals who support people affected by pancreatic cancer.

What motivated you to volunteer at Pancreatic Cancer UK?

I was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2023, and received valuable advice and support from Pancreatic Cancer UK when I was first awaiting treatment. I was fortunate enough to survive and saw volunteering as an opportunity to give back for the help Pancreatic Cancer UK had offered me.

In 2024, Ollie volunteered at the Great North Run as part of our cheer squad, supporting our amazing runners as they crossed the finish line and raised vital funds for Pancreatic Cancer UK!

Ollie also volunteered to share his personal experience to support our “Dietetic management and pancreatic cancer” event back in December 2024. This was an educational event for health professionals to increase their knowledge and understanding of dietary support and needs of people affected by pancreatic cancer. Find out more about how we support health professionals

What do you enjoy the most about volunteering with us?

It’s the sense that in some small way I could help Pancreatic Cancer UK’s mission to improve early diagnosis, educate health professionals and raise money for research to improve treatment outcomes.

As a volunteer I’ve been so impressed by the warmth, skills and commitment of all those I’ve worked with at the charity. It’s felt as if together we really can make a difference.

What has been your volunteering highlight to date?

My favourite experience to date was joining a couple of amazing members of staff to support the Pancreatic Cancer UK runners (and everybody else!) in the Great North Run last year.

We were there for more than three hours in the pouring rain, sharing stories, cheering, shouting, laughing and clapping. We were soaking wet by the end, but I’d have signed up in an instant to do it all again the next day if there had been the chance! It was the most worthwhile and enjoyable thing I was able to do all year.

Well done Ollie, and thank you for all you do!

We’re aware there’ll be many of you who can relate to Ollie’s personal experience of pancreatic cancer. Please do reach out to our support services if you ever need it.