Julia Buckell
Julia's page
Fundraising for Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund
Story
Rob was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer shortly before his 50th birthday in 2018. We were treated with great dignity and care at the Royal Marsden in Sutton but it was astounding how rapidly medical options ran out and the more we researched the more we realised this was precisely because there are none.
Rob was extremely brave throughout his illness which allowed William and I to enjoy him to the end, in this picture at the Maspalomas dunes in Gran Canaria in October 2018 he was on Folfironox chemotherapy a harsh treatment which reduced the tumour initially and then sadly stopped working- a very typical pattern. As Rob was dying, I talked to him about the dunes and I know he heard every word as a brief smile of contentment passed across his face.
Over the last decade less than 1% of UK cancer research has been spent on pancreatic cancer. Only 1% survive more than 10 years, fewer than 3% survive for 5 years. These stats have not changed since the 1970s. Like many sufferers Rob's cancer was already stage 3 at diagnosis too late to be genuinely operable and even if removed the tumour usually comes back. Pancreatic cancer is a cancer emergency.
We've already raised a substantial sum for PCRF and are hugely grateful for your generosity. We will be cycling Prudential Ride100 next August in his memory to continue to raise funds this time for Pancreatic Cancer UK which is the official sponsor for the event. Please do feel free to sponsor any of us who have been crazy enough to take this on!