My Family’s Fight Against Pancreatic Cancer
- Rhiannon Eaves
- Jan 20
- 4 min read
Hi everyone, I hope you’ve all had a great week. Before I dive into the details of the Walk for Pia, I wanted to take a moment to talk about pancreatic cancer and the incredible work being done by the charity Pancreatic Cancer UK. This cause is obviously very close to my heart and I think it is important to explain why we decided to fundraise for this particular disease and charity before I go any further.
The main reason is, of course, because my beautiful mum passed away from pancreatic cancer in 2021. Before her diagnosis, I had never heard of the disease. That’s because it’s one of the least talked-about and least researched cancers, despite being the 5th deadliest cancer in the UK.
I mentioned in my first blog that mum’s tumour was discovered by accident when she experienced stomach pains and went to the doctor. She never suspected it would be cancer. One of the reasons pancreatic cancer is so deadly is that its tumours are "cold" — meaning they’re very hard to detect, often going unnoticed until it’s too late. Late-stage diagnoses are the primary reason for the high mortality rates, but the lack of effective screening and the aggressive, rapid spread of the cancer also contribute to the shockingly low five-year survival rate of less than 7%.
When my dad first told me that mum had pancreatic cancer, he made me promise not to research it because he knew how grim the statistics were. But my mum, being the incredibly strong and determined woman she was, refused to just be another one of those terrifying numbers. Sadly, despite her unwavering strength, this cruel disease took her from us far too soon. I’m sharing this story in the hopes that it will raise awareness and help even one family avoid the heartbreak mine has faced — a pain we’re still living with.
Signs and Symptoms to Look Out For:
If you or someone you know experiences any of the following, it’s important to get checked out:
Symptoms
- Jaundice (which is when the whites of your eyes and skin turn yellow) – my mum had extreme jaundice and seeing her like that was one of the hardest things
- Loss of appetite or weight loss without trying to
- Extreme fatigue
- High temperature
- Diarrhoea or constipation
- Pain at the top of your stomach and back
For more information or support, these resources can help:
I also highly recommend following the Pancreatic Cancer UK Instagram account. Their page shares inspiring stories of survivors, families who’ve lost loved ones, and regular updates on how we can help fund research for this cause. Definitely give them a follow!
When we were on the walk, we had the privilege of meeting the wonderful team at Pancreatic Cancer UK. I’ll share more about meeting them on the walk in future blog posts. They were the loveliest group of people, and they continue to stay in contact with us and support us in whatever endeavours we take part in. Special shoutout to Abbie, who has been such a friend and champion of our cause — she’s doing incredible things for this charity, and we’re so grateful to her!
Also, some exciting news… I was lucky enough to speak to Hits Radio on Friday, with their Wales reporter George Symonds, and we discussed the importance of more funding for this disease and the impact that can have on so many people’s lives. It’s incredible to think that two years after the walk, this cause is still receiving media attention, and I’m hopeful that our conversation will raise awareness and inspire others to learn more about pancreatic cancer. You can read the article here:
Our Fundraising Journey Continues
The efforts to beat this disease are growing, and there are now discussions happening in Parliament to push for increased government funding for pancreatic cancer research — the deadliest and most common cancer in the UK. So far, through the walk alone, our family has raised more than £160,000 for PanCan UK. Since then, our friend Jake, my mum’s best friend Donna, and my incredible sister have each run a marathon, raising more than £5,000 each! Our fundraising efforts are just getting started, and I urge anyone who can, to support the incredible work being done for pancreatic cancer research. Every donation, no matter how small, makes a difference:
I know this post has been heavy on facts, but it’s important for you to understand just how devastating this disease is. It took the most important person in my life from me, and I’ll never get to see her again. I’ll never have a mum to call or hug again; she won’t be at my wedding or meet her grandchildren — and pancreatic cancer is what did that. I miss her more than words can express, but my hope is that by raising awareness and supporting this cause, I can help spare others from this heartache.
I promise next week’s post will shift focus to the fun and inspiring details of the walk, but for today, I wanted to make sure you understand why this fight is so personal.
Take care and talk soon!
With love,
Rhiannon
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