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My daughter Millie and I will run the Great North Run on Sunday 11th September and then I will run the Great Scottish Run on Sunday 2nd October 2022.  We are running to raise funds and awareness for Heartburn Cancer UK, the only dedicated charity committed to tackling oesophageal cancer, a cause very close to our families hearts.

In the summer of 2013 my brother Kevin then aged 40 was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer, after months of persistent heart burn and  difficulty swallowing some foods after an endoscopy it was confirmed that Kevin had Oesophageal cancer.  After many further scans and tests Kevin underwent the major surgical procedure the Ivor Lewis operation.  After many days in intensive care and high dependancy at the Royal Infirmary in Edinburgh Kevin returned home to our parents house where they nursed him back to fitness.  His determination and drive saw him make a remarkable recovery, and within a year he was back to living a fairly normal life.

In September 2014 my husband Brian and I ran the Great North Run in Newcastle in aid of Oesophageal cancer and Kevin met us as we crossed the finish line, pint in hand! Just under a year since he had his life changing surgery, a marvellous happy day for our family!

Some 4 years later in the summer of 2017 Kevin started experiencing some loss of his voice and back pain.  He still however forged on with all his normal actives, attending Celtic Park to watch his beloved football team, walking the munro Lochnagar with Brian and his pal Scott, and in October we all went on holiday to Croatia. Kevin with his 11 year old son Connor, our parents Nan and Tom, Brian and I with our 3 girls, Millie, Rosie and Maisie.  We truly felt like we had struck gold with this holiday, the villa set in the most beautiful part of rural Croatia, we walked the walls of Dubrovnik, swam in the turquoise waters of the Adriatic Sea and spent the time laughing and making the most wonderful memories.   

When we returned within a few days Kevin began to experience severe back pain, after further scans Kevin was told that his cancer had returned and was in most parts of his body.  5 weeks after this news Kevin died on the 12th of December 2017, aged 45,  surrounded by his family.

Oesophageal cancer is an aggressive cancer. a 'silent killer' with the survival statistics making horrendous reading. Only 12% of those diagnosed survive 10 or more years.  Early diagnosis is crucial, and more research and funds are needed to help drive this survival rate up, which is why we are running for Heartburn Cancer and trying to raise awareness of this awful disease.

Kevin was a Celtic Supporter since he could hold a ball.  A season ticket holder he worshipped at the alter of Celtic Park.  Even one night after being told the worst news that his cancer had been confirmed he took himself off to a European game at Celtic park, he couldn't bear to miss it.  So it seems right that we finish our fund-raising in Glasgow with Great Scottish Run in a city which held so many happy memories for Kevin.

Thank you for reading our story and if you have any of the following persistent symptoms please get them checked by your GP:

Heartburn or acid reflux

Problems Swallowing

Hoarse Voice

Losing weight without trying

More information can be found at www.heartburncanceruk.org