I'm fundraising for Pancreatic Cancer UK.

I am taking on pancreatic cancer – the deadliest common cancer – through a boat trip upriver on the Thames in my open, historic wooden workboat, Tough 1. I will be travelling upriver to Lechlade and then back downriver to Eel Pie Island during July and August. I am determined to raise much needed funds for Pancreatic Cancer UK, which will go towards vital research into early diagnosis and treatment, as well as support for those affected by the disease. During the trip, Tough 1 and I will be involved in the Thames Traditional Boat Festival in Henley and the Association of Thames Yacht Clubs Rally at Shepperton Marina. I will also be stopping at the towns and villages along the route.

I have chosen to support the charity because I have the disease and have now been having treatment for eight years. As PCUK fund much of the research into improved treatments for pancreatic cancer, I feel that I should help with the fundraising towards that. After a Well Man Clinic at the beginning of 2017, I was sent for further tests, something having shown up in a scan. It wasn’t until that summer that it was confirmed that there were four tumours in my pancreas. Further, they were found to be hereditary, which I didn’t know pancreatic cancer could be, until mine was! It made me realise how little really is known about the disease and gave me cause to help PCUK in raising funds for research. I’ve been lucky so far; the five year survival rate for pancreatic cancer is still just 7%, whereas I have currently been receiving treatment for eight years. So, all support in helping me to raise funds for this worthy cause will be very much appreciated.

Pancreatic cancer is the deadliest common cancer. It has vague symptoms, such as back pain, indigestion and unexpected weight-loss which are also common to many less serious health conditions. Due to this, the disease often goes undetected until after it has spread to other parts of the body. More than half of people with pancreatic cancer die within three months of diagnosis. Pancreatic Cancer UK is taking on this devastating disease by investing in ground-breaking research and supporting patients and their loved ones through its free-phone Support Line staffed by specialist nurses.