I am a Pancreatic Cancer Survivor of 8 years. More than half of those diagnosed don't make it past 3 months

I realise that I am a 'one in a million' and extremely lucky to still be alive.

My life has changed irrevocably. One of the most important things for me now is my time. I am determined to use that time to enjoy my life and live it to the max but also to donate some of this precious commodity to help others in a similar position, so they can make the most of their lives too. That's why I volunteer for PCUK and hoping to fund 6 months of research into early diagnosis screening.

I know its a big ask to raise £5,000 in this 'cost of living crisis' , but the fact that 80% of people are diagnosed too late for potentially curative treatment is the REAL COST OF LIVING .

Just £5 from 1,000 people will help me achieve this target and help save lives - to enjoy the opportunity I had - to live.

My husband Paul and I are doing this together as we have been through so much together having met when we were both 16. Neither of us are hardcore regular hikers and have not done anything near as challenging as this, however we have done a few day hikes. and are training hard in our local hills and mountains.

Start Point is Oberstdorf, Germany and finish in Merano, Italy.

Its going to take us a total of 10 days. Oberstdof, Germany to Holzgau then on to Madau climbing 1000m and descending 900m. Madau to Zams which is the hardest and most strenuous day climbing 1300m over the Lechtaler Alps and descending 1950m and takes approx 12 hrs. Im not looking forward to this but if I do this I can do the rest. We then head for Wenns to climb to 2.580m before descending 1590m. Next day we tackle the Pitztaler Jochl and Rettenbach Glaciers over 3000m high before descending into Solden. This is also a scary climb using ropes but the views are spectacular. apparently. We then head up another valley almost doubling back to Vent (which is near where Otze the Iceman was found) We ascend 1315m up to our overnight mountain hut called Bellavista Hut (sounds like this should be spectacular too) this leads us towards the Italian border before the descent to Kurras above the blue waters of lake Vernago. Then we hike down to Merano, Italy.

This is my very brief story:

27 years ago, I was a theatre sister assisting with general and specialist liver and pancreatic surgery. I never once thought I would be the one on the operating table.

During a holiday in 2013, I experienced extreme upper abdominal pain for the first time. I visited a local hospital where I was diagnosed with acute pancreatitis and had my gallbladder removed once home.

However, the following year I felt the same intense pain. After tests at a local hospital, I was told I had probably malignant pancreatic cysts and my only option was to have my pancreas removed. Not happy with this drastic move, I found and requested a referral to a highly specialised professor in Newcastle. He and his expert team performed a Whipple’s operation, which is the only potentially curative treatment for pancreatic cancer. It was confirmed that the cysts had been cancerous, and I opted for chemotherapy too. After those grueling sessions, I lived happily and healthily for five years until I felt that familiar pain.

Scans showed multiple pancreatic cysts but this time, there were no other options, and had my pancreas and spleen removed in Jan 2021. I'm adjusting to life without my pancreas and am an unstable diabetic which is challenging to manage... but I'm doing my best and managing well.

I quit my job as a nurse manager after I found out about my diagnosis, as I really thought it was the beginning of a very quick end for me so now I’m dedicated to improving public & healthcare awareness.

I’m proud that I was invited to Parliament by PCUK to speak with MP’s to raise awareness and fund research into early diagnosis and have collaborated with healthcare teams for optimal clinical pathways for patients.

In 2022 I co-ordinated a medical team and packed thousands of tonnes of medical aid for Ukraine, and became a director of the socially philanthropic Women of Newport group and in July 2023 I was appointed Girlguiding County Commissioner.

I’m busy and I love it.

I'm doing this challenge as its not at all easy. I want this to be a challenge. It’s a logistical nightmare as a type 3c diabetic....with all the meds and food, exercise, temperature and altitude factors to consider….., but this is something I am absolutely resolute in doing and I want to be able to say "I've done this". I want people to realise that there is a future for them and there is hope.... if you are positive in your approach, plan well, and have a little bit of luck on your side - you can do anything.

PCUK is dedicated to supporting people with pancreatic cancer now, campaigning, and funding vital research to transform the future.

Your donations will help them to make the breakthroughs that people with pancreatic cancer, like me, so desperately need.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts !