Tag: Pancreatic Cancer Action Scotland

Pancreatic Cancer Action Scotland launches #MISSEDatChristmas fundraising campaign

Leading charity Pancreatic Cancer Action Scotland (PCAS) has launched a new fundraising campaign #MISSEDatChristmas to help ensure more people aren’t missed at Christmas.

Pancreatic Cancer Action Scotland is inviting people across Scotland to join them this festive season in remembering their loved ones lost to pancreatic cancer. 

PCAS is inviting people to donate and share a dedication to their loved one. Participants will receive a special purple heart to display in their loved one’s memory this Christmas. All donations will help PCAS fight for earlier diagnosis. 

Pancreatic cancer is the deadliest of all common cancers, with a 5-year survival rate of less than 8%. Each year over 900 people in Scotland are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Around 26 people die from pancreatic cancer every day in the UK. With early diagnosis, pancreatic cancer can be survived.  

Debbie Rutherford, 30, is missing her Mum Rachel this Christmas. Rachel passed away in 2022, aged 62, from pancreatic cancer. Debbie, her brother Craig and sister Kirsty, were at her bedside as she took her last breaths. 

Rachel began experiencing symptoms in June 2020. It started with bloating, which she put down to the fact she had eaten a curry for dinner. When the feeling persisted, she contacted her GP. With the country in the grip of the Covid -19 pandemic, it proved difficult to get a face-to-face appointment.

Rachel was prescribed indigestion medicine and was told by doctors that no further investigations were needed.  

Rachel’s symptoms continued and Doctors then agreed to refer her for a scan. In October 2020, a scan showed a mass on her pancreas. The tumour was restricted to her pancreas, with no spread. Her oncologist was hopeful it would be operable, and the plan was to go ahead with six rounds of chemotherapy and a (Whipple?) operation.  

The reality of living on The Isle of Mull meant Rachel’s medical appointments involved a lot of travelling, ferry journeys, hotel stays, early starts and late nights arriving back home.

In January 2021, Rachel began her first round of chemotherapy. She suffered multiple side effects and ended up in hospital with life-threatening sepsis. More rounds of chemotherapy and radiotherapy followed as well as a serious bowel infection, a stomach ulcer and another bout of sepsis. 

In August 2022, Rachel started to deteriorate. She passed away on 14th September 2022 with her three children and her sister by her side. She died at her home on the Isle of Mull, a place she loved. 

Debbie Rutherford said: “Mum was the centre of our world. She always made Christmas special for me, my brother and my sister. It is hard to believe that another year is ending without her. She is missed every day but is especially missed at Christmas. 

“Pancreatic Cancer Action Scotland’s new #MISSEDatChristmas campaign provides me and my family with a way to pay tribute to Mum this Christmas.”  

Joe Kirwin, Chief Executive of Pancreatic Cancer Action, said: “Our #MISSEDatChristmas campaign offers an opportunity for people to remember their loved ones lost to pancreatic cancer.

“We’ve had special purple hearts made for people to display in their memory, and we’re sending these out to everyone who supports the campaign.  

“In the UK, around 26 people die every day from pancreatic cancer. For just £10, you could help us get patients and their families vital information and support. All the money raised will go towards fighting for earlier diagnosis to help ensure that more people aren’t missed at Christmas.”   

Learn more about Pancreatic Cancer Action Scotland’s #MISSEDatChristmas campaign: https://pancreaticcanceraction.org/missedatchristmas/ 

Summer Ball raises £120,900 for Pancreatic Cancer Action Scotland

Just Employment Law has now raised over £400,000 in aid of Pancreatic Cancer Action Scotland

On Saturday, 10th June 2023, the black-tie fundraising event at The Radisson Blu Hotel, Glasgow, was attended by nearly 500 people, providing an opportunity for guests to help raise vital funds and awareness for pancreatic cancer.

Scottish stand-up comedian and TV/radio presenter Des Clarke hosted the event with fabulous entertainment throughout the evening and opportunities to win luxury items through tombolas, prize giveaways, an online auction, and a live auction.

David McRae, Managing Director of Just Employment Law, spoke from the heart about sadly losing his mother Margaret to pancreatic cancer seven years ago, the same year he lost his younger brother. He explained that the Summer Ball was again being held in their memory.

A powerful video featuring members of the Just Employment Law and Pancreatic Cancer Action Scotland teams played across large TV screens. Marty Bryson, who sadly lost his mum to pancreatic cancer in 2016 when he was only 15, performed two songs he had written in memory of his mum.

Sean McGarvey, son of former Celtic and St Mirren football legend Frank McGarvey, who passed away from pancreatic cancer in January, spoke to guests. Sean thanked Pancreatic Cancer Action Scotland for their support of his family. He highlighted the importance of earlier diagnosis and the urgent need to raise funds and awareness to help save lives.

Scottish football journalist and radio presenter Tam Cowan, who lost his father-in-law John to pancreatic cancer in December 2020, led the hugely successful live auction, all while entertaining the guests with his unique brand of comedy.

Before the guests were let loose on the dancefloor, one lucky guest won a Star Prize Giveaway of £5,000 cash on the evening. The guests then danced the night away with the band Waterfront filling the dancefloor.

Just Employment Law has just announced the final total from their successful summer ball at £120,900, all going to Pancreatic Cancer Action Scotland.

David McRae said: “We were delighted to host our third Summer Ball in support of PCAS and to raise much-needed funds and awareness for the charity. 

“Having lost my own mother to this silent killer, I have first-hand experience of the devastation it causes.  We, and I personally, stand with PCAS and all the excellent work they do.”

Fiona Brown, Development Manager for Pancreatic Cancer Action Scotland, said: “We are incredibly grateful to David and the Just Employment Law team, family, friends and networks for their amazing generosity and kindness over a number of years as our charity partners.

“Events like The Summer Ball take a huge amount of organising by the JEL team but can play a key role in raising awareness and funds for pancreatic cancer. It was a wonderful evening and particularly special to have three pancreatic cancer survivors in the room, helping highlight that survival is possible, and earlier diagnosis can save lives.”

Sandra Bigbie, a nine-year pancreatic cancer survivor from Rutherglen, said: “It was an incredible night out and was the most fun I’ve had in years! I would like to thank everyone who was so generous with their donations to raise such an astonishing amount for a very worthy cause.

“I’m sadly part of a very small club of survivors, early diagnosis is the only way to help save more lives, and that is why I am so proud to be able to support Pancreatic Cancer Actions Scotland’s efforts to create a future whereas many people as possible are saved.”

Pancreatic Cancer Action Scotland remains dedicated to saving lives via early diagnosis. If you would like to learn more about us and our mission, you can do so here: panact.org

Pictures by Pear and Plum Photography

Summer Ball raises £111,000 for Pancreatic Cancer Action Scotland

On Saturday, 10th June 2023, the black-tie fundraising event at The Radisson Blu Hotel, Glasgow, was attended by nearly 500 people, providing an opportunity for guests to help raise vital funds and awareness for pancreatic cancer.

Scottish stand-up comedian and TV/radio presenter Des Clarke hosted the event with fabulous entertainment throughout the evening and opportunities to win luxury items through tombolas, prize giveaways, an online auction, and a live auction.

David McRae, Managing Director of Just Employment Law, spoke from the heart about sadly losing his mother Margaret to pancreatic cancer seven years ago, the same year he lost his younger brother. He explained that the Summer Ball was again being held in their memory.

A powerful video featuring members of the Just Employment Law and Pancreatic Cancer Action Scotland teams played across large TV screens. Marty Bryson, who sadly lost his mum to pancreatic cancer in 2016 when he was only 15, performed two songs he had written in memory of his mum.

Sean McGarvey, son of former Celtic and St Mirren football legend Frank McGarvey, who passed away from pancreatic cancer in January, spoke to guests. Sean thanked Pancreatic Cancer Action Scotland for their support of his family. He highlighted the importance of earlier diagnosis and the urgent need to raise funds and awareness to help save lives.

Scottish football journalist and radio presenter Tam Cowan, who lost his father-in-law John to pancreatic cancer in December 2020, led the hugely successful live auction, all while entertaining the guests with his unique brand of comedy.

Before the guests were let loose on the dancefloor, one lucky guest won a Star Prize Giveaway of £5,000 cash on the evening. The guests then danced the night away with the band Waterfront filling the dancefloor.

To date, Just Employment Law has raised nearly £400,000 in aid of Pancreatic Cancer Action Scotland, and they are tireless in their support of the cause.

David McRae said: “We were delighted to host our third Summer Ball in support of PCAS and to raise much-needed funds and awareness for the charity. 

“Having lost my own mother to this silent killer, I have first-hand experience of the devastation it causes.  We, and I personally, stand with PCAS and all the excellent work they do.”

Fiona Brown, Development Manager for Pancreatic Cancer Action Scotland, said: “We are incredibly grateful to David and the Just Employment Law team, family, friends and networks for their amazing generosity and kindness over a number of years as our charity partners.

“Events like The Summer Ball take a huge amount of organising by the JEL team but can play a key role in raising awareness and funds for pancreatic cancer. It was a wonderful evening and particularly special to have three pancreatic cancer survivors in the room, helping highlight that survival is possible, and earlier diagnosis can save lives.”

Sandra Bigbie, a nine-year pancreatic cancer survivor from Rutherglen, said: “It was an incredible night out and was the most fun I’ve had in years! I would like to thank everyone who was so generous with their donations to raise such an astonishing amount for a very worthy cause.

“I’m sadly part of a very small club of survivors, early diagnosis is the only way to help save more lives, and that is why I am so proud to be able to support Pancreatic Cancer Actions Scotland’s efforts to create a future whereas many people as possible are saved.”

Pancreatic Cancer Action Scotland remains dedicated to saving lives via early diagnosis. If you would like to learn more about us and our mission, you can do so here: panact.org