On Sunday 4th May 2025 I will be running the Belfast City Marathon, joined by 10 members of my family and friends running the marathon relay to raise money for Oesophageal Cancer NI in memory of my Dad, John McGuirk.

On 16th April 2023 my dad was diagnosed with Oesophageal cancer. He fought this horrible disease for 18 months before unfortunately passing away on 22nd October 2024.

Oesophageal cancer is the 7th most common cause of cancer death in the UK, accounting for 5% of all cancer deaths. While the survival rate is increasing each year, unfortunately only 20% of cases will survive more than 5 years after diagnosis. Oesophageal cancer is difficult to diagnose with systems often being ignored such as heart burn, indigestion and difficulty swallowing being the most common symptoms.

OGCancer NI is therefore a charity very close to mine and my family’s hearts. OGCancer NI have 3 main objectives: to provide support to those battling the disease, to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of OG cancer and to advocate for patients.

We also would like to remember John Johnston and Eugene Keogh who also battled with this disease.