Michael Whitford was a popular and well liked member of the Tax
Preparation Team (TPT) in Belfast, having worked in the team for around 2 years.  He lost his battle with oesophageal cancer late in 2016 and his witty and upbeat presence has been missed by all in our team since then.  

Michel was a keen Glentoran and West Ham United fan and enjoyed of computer games, having completed a 24 hour game-a-thon in early 2016 to raise money for Oesophageal Patients Association Northern Ireland (OPANI).

We are a team made up of colleagues who worked closely with Michael in TPT and are aiming to complete a relay run in Michael's memory, involving a complete a lap of Lough Neagh, Ireland’s largest freshwater lake, on 17 June 2017.  The route is 95.2 miles and has been split into 15 relay legs, which will be completed by upwards of 17 participants of varying running abilities in an estimated time of 16 hours.

Oesophageal Patients Association Northern Ireland (OPANI) are a charity consisting of members who have experienced the difficulties of oesophageal cancer. The charity holds events for survivors of oesophageal cancer to share their experiences and to support each other, and raise awareness of oesophageal cancer.

Symptoms which indicate there may be cancer in the oesophagus are often vague and fairly common symptoms and therefore can be overlooked. However, as with any other area of your body, any changes, however subtle, if persistent should not be ignored.

If you have any of the following symptoms you should see your local doctor and discuss them further

 - Swallowing difficulties or a sensation of food sticking in
your chest

- Pain or discomfort as food passes down the oesophagus

- Persistent heartburn/acid reflux (persistent would be 2 to
3 weeks without passing off)

- Persistent cough or hoarseness

- Persistent hiccups

- Regurgitation of food on a regular basis

- Persistent nausea/retching/heaving

- Unexpected weight loss/unusual tiredness

The charity is currently aiming to raise £15,000 towards a
new machine. Any donations towards this goal would be gratefully received and
if we can exceed the charity’s donations target it will provide resource for
them to offer more support for sufferers and to raise awareness.