I am raising money and awareness for my ex neighbour and dear friend Simon Gambardella, who was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer in February 2024 after discovering jaundice and being tested for Gallstones initially.

Simon is just 53 years of age, and he has been a Type 1 Diabetic for the past 32 years. Studies suggest that there is a link between Type 1 Diabetes and Pancreatic Cancer (with those who have had Type 1 for a long time being in a potentially high risk group for developing Pancreatic Cancer).

Simon has done so well since diagnosis, having gone through 16 courses of Chemotherapy and other treatments, but much more needs to done to raise awareness for this terrible cancer, as it is a huge killer and is not very well known about or researched. Simon's cancer is terminal, having already spread to his liver 😞 It's going to be a huge few weeks for this small charity, as Pancreatic Cancer UK is the Main Sponsor for this year's London Marathon.

In the UK approx 10,500 people are diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer annually. It is known to be the 10th most common cancer in the UK. The UK has one of the worst survival rates for pancreatic cancer in Europe, with a 5 year survival rate of less than 7% it is the 5th biggest cancer killer in the UK. Due to a lack of knowledge and research many people are diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer at a late stage when the cancer has spread and surgery to remove the cancer is not possible.

Survival:

One-Year Survival:

Around 50 out of 100 people survive their cancer for 1 year or more after diagnosis.

Three-Year Survival:

Around 15 out of 100 people survive their cancer for 3 years or more after diagnosis.

Five-Year Survival:

Five-year survival for all pancreatic cancers (including all stages) in the UK is 7%.

Ten-Year Survival:

Only 1% of people diagnosed with pancreatic cancer today are predicted to survive their disease for at least ten years.

Pancreatic Cancer UK are the main UK charity trying to raise awareness and future funding into this area.

We go above and beyond for everyone affected by this disease. Right now, half of people with pancreatic cancer die within three months of diagnosis. Families are left with only hope to hold onto. They need more. So, we do more.

We bring more breakthroughs through research, more change through campaigning, and more support through our expert nurses. We make more noise because people have gone unheard. We are relentless because the disease is ruthless. We care more because people feel forgotten.