John Dilley was a big man with a big heart and huge appetite for life, people and fun. His chief love in life, his soul mate, was Jill, his wife of 47 years, and with whom he enjoyed a large family of 4 children and 7 grandchildren.

 

His passion for rugby included a long association with Southend Rugby Football Club; 19 years in the 1^st XV, 5 years as President and over 50 years of membership. In later life that same passion drew him to Chair the Essex committee of the Wooden Spoon rugby charity, in which capacity he was actively involved in raising money for disadvantaged children.

 

John had a fulfilling business career with R.A Brand paper merchants spanning 6 decades. He majored in the social aspects of the job, developing wonderful relationships with colleagues and customers alike, supposedly for the good of the business, but in reality these were true friendships which gave him great personal pleasure.

 

Anybody who ever spent time with John socially, whether in business, at Twickenham, in his home or wherever, will have witnessed a generosity of spirit that was dedicated to ensuring everybody had the best of times. It really mattered to John that his guests should enjoy his hospitality; you can be assured that the drinks always came round!

 

John was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in September 2009. He fought the cancer in his own special way, with fortitude, belligerence, disdain and sheer contempt for the illness, and never a grumble or a moment of self-pity. As late as November 2010 he took holidays to Portugal and France with Jill, and when at home could still be found chopping logs in the garden.

 

After a great fun Christmas with his family, John passed away on the 30^th December 2010. This was the first and only day in his long illness when he didn’t get out of bed and shave, shower and dress ready to tackle the day ahead. The end was quick and peaceful, at home in bed in the arms of his beloved Jill, a mercy for which we are all grateful.

 

Each year approximately 7,700 people in the UK are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. It is the 5^th  most common cause of cancer death, causing 5% of all cancer deaths each year. Pancreatic cancer has the lowest survival rate of all cancers; just 3% of those diagnosed survive for 5 years. It is also the only cancer that has seen no improvement in survival figures over the last 40 years.

 

Overall, half of all those diagnosed with a cancer now survive for 5 years or more. For many cancers, 5 year survival rates have increased hugely since the 1970s. For breast cancer,  where large amounts have been spent on research, 5 year survival rates have increased from 50% to 80%. Yet despite this high death rate and lack of improvement in chances of survival, pancreatic cancer attracts little research funding in comparison with many other cancers.

 

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