Thank you so much to Caitlin Strong, who is running the Great North Run on behalf of the OPA Cancer Charity, in memory of her Dad.

“I set myself a goal of doing 30 new things before I turn 30. After, watching on the side lines last year I thought I’d give the Great North Run a go. When I didn’t make the first ballot for the GNR – I changed it from running 13.1 mile run to a 3 mile run (a big difference I know!) When the January ballot came out, I thought I’d give it a second go, little did I know this time round I’d get a ‘Yes you’re in!’ email – that’s when it sunk in.

I’m not a runner, but I’m determined to train and complete the GNR in memory of my Dad, George who lost his life to oesophageal cancer in July 2022. It was a short battle as he was only diagnosed in the February. At the time we didn’t really know much about that type of cancer, which is why I want to raise money and awareness for OPA. My dad was a very sporty person when he was younger and I think he’d be proud of me for accepting the challenge to complete a half marathon! I don’t have a set time, the most important thing for me is crossing the finish line! What will keep me going is reminding myself of the reasons why I decided to run the race and who I am running for.” – Caitlin Strong

Click here to support Caitlin’s Fundraising

“The Aintree Half Marathon run, well I think the images speak for themselves on that one 🤣.

Then the 100 mile bike ride with my husband James, my top with Vals on the front I bought that because it had my dad’s name on it, felt fitting to wear it even though it didn’t really fit me🤣. We got lost on that bike ride but persevered and made our way back to the finish line with our own 100 mile improvised route, we were that late back that everyone had packed up and gone home. But we pushed on with my dad watching over us probably laughing as he did🤣.

Then there was the Manchester half Marathon. I felt I needed to make it as ridiculous as I could and did, it was hard but the vibe from the crowd and fellow runners was inspiring, As was the Aintree half marathon, the marshals, fellow runners and spectators all made it that bit easier, and gave me that extra push when I was flagging.

A lot of it was a comedy of errors or even just pure comedy gold. But the beauty is not only did it give me a platform to give some rhyme or reason to my dad being inflicted with the horrible thing that is oesophagus cancer, but it also gave other people a platform to be able to do something for my Dad. But most importantly it brought people together making new memories, while having many laughs with my dads infectious cheeky, fun spirit being right there with us. Not forgetting hopefully raising awareness and a little money along the way.” – Karen Ryan

A GREAT DAY FOR A NOBLE CAUSE (aka Snowy’s special day)

My name is Ryan McGrory. My dad, Daniel McGrory was diagnosed with Oesophageal cancer 13 years ago. He called a family meeting with my mum Margaret, sister Suzanne and brother Adam. Naturally, we were all devasted, and frightened.

In stepped the most wonderful man ever to walk into our families’ lives. Mr Grant Fullarton. He was assigned as consultant to my dad. Grant performed lifesaving surgery, cut the cancer out of his oesophagus and re-attached his oesophagus to his stomach. A very invasive procedure and an incredible feat of achievement. When it comes to oesophageal cancer, we knew the chances of survival were small. Miraculously, Grant’s intervention saved my dads life.

My dad’s key message to everyone reading this:

“It was only the fact I got lucky with an early diagnosis after having real difficulty swallowing that Mr Grant Fullarton my consultant could operate. Most of the time with oesophageal, the cancer is too far progressed to operate. I encourage anyone with difficulty swallowing, a sensation that the food isn’t going down into the stomach, to make an appointment with their GP and speak to them about it. Early diagnosis could just save your life.”

I have many good friends whose family members have not been so lucky. Cancer is an insidious disease that devastates families. All we can do is try to support the people that are working hard every day to not only find a cure, but also to support families dealing with it.

That’s where the Oesophageal Patients Association (OPA) come in. What wonderful work Drew and the whole organisation are doing, dedicating their time and energy to raising funds, placing themselves at the forefront of the battle against oesophageal and gastric cancers. This is noble work that Mr Fullarton told us about. I wanted to help the cause!

I arranged a charity golf day in my work, Aviva, to raise money through the fees to play golf, a raffle and a silent auction of some key items. I was humbled by people’s support. Immediately people started handing me bottles of expensive champagnes, whisky, fancy gins among other thoughtful and wonderful prizes and it was clear how many hearts were being touched.  

Other colleagues arranged for things like a signed football top from John Hartson the ex-Celtic player, who signed it himself to raise funds for the OPA. This was sold at silent auction for a lot of money. Celtic Football club donated a football in a beautiful case signed by all the players and manager. Rangers Football Club also got involved, kindly donating a tour of the museum among other incredible things.

We, in Glasgow, are acutely aware of the bitter rivalry between these 2 clubs, so it was humbling to see the dividing wall come tumbling down in the city that we love.  

When it comes to the fight against cancer, then, we are all just human beings. The disease does not discriminate by football team, postcode, social standing, financial status, colour, creed or anything else.

Drew at the OPA donated hampers and M&S vouchers & beautiful OPA teddies among lots of other lovely prizes. My health club & gym, David Lloyd, also got involved, donating a free membership, a 4-ball golf day and furnished me with a dozen laminated day passes for me to present to all the key helpers at the golf after dinner speech. My friend donated classes for his Shukokai Karate Club in Glasgow.

My direct and extended family (special mention to my Auntie Betty & Uncle Billy McGraw for their amazing generosity) and friends all made donations to the Just Giving page (link below) I set up to raise even more money and donated wonderful gifts for the raffle. It was like a scene out of a superhero movie!

Cancer Warriors, ASSEMBLE!

The whole golf day was a huge success from start to finish, ending up in ‘The Post’ bar in Calderbank Glasgow that my friend John Hickey arranged (his local!), where we all played pool, danced to music on the juke box and drew the raffle winners. What an amazing night everyone had, along with some touching moments remembering those we have lost to this disease.

The result? – We raised a total of £6185!

At the outset, OPA asked me what my target amount was. I said £2k. To TREBLE this was such an incredible moment. We owe a HUGE THANK YOU to AVIVA… who very kindly £ matched the £3k we raised, helping us to get to the £6k result.

This money will go a long way to helping the OPA in supporting families who are suffering at the hands of this horrible disease. Throughout this journey some people mentioned having had some similar symptoms & they will get checked by their doctor, so we have very importantly raised awareness too.

This has been a one-year long journey I will never forget. We live in a world containing a lot of negativities, where some members of humanity are doing horrible things to one another.

This positive experience gave me some much-needed proof that there is a lot of good in the world. So many good human beings. It was truly uplifting. My family is eternally grateful to Grant and his team that my dad is here to see this, and we say a prayer for those that sadly aren’t. Those that live in our hearts never die.

Thanks everyone, I wish you all good health on your journey, because one thing life has taught me – your health is priceless.

Ryan

& If you would like to donate to the cause the page is still open! Link:

https://www.justgiving.com/page/ryan-mcgrory-1724801181481?utm_medium=fundraising&utm_content=page%2Fryan-mcgrory-1724801181481&utm_source=email&utm_campaign=pfp-email

PS If you were wondering about Snowy’s special day, it’s a children’s story my dad used to read to me when I was a kid, about a wee white rabbit that had the perfect day! This was my perfect day.”

For Paul Greaves

Andrew (Woody) is planning to complete his first ever half-marathon in memory of one of his oldest and dearest friends who was sadly lost to oesophageal cancer.  Paul was a great friend, husband and father.  He was with his wife Lucy  for 24 years and they had 3 girls and 3 dogs, this was his world. He was a man who just loved his family, and was happy with life. He had an amazing sense of humour, he had lived his life to the fullest, experienced so much fun and so many laughs.  He had good friends and he and Lucy were looking forward to spending the rest of their lives together, they were not just partners but best friends.

Around Christmas last year he got a bad back and by the time he was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer that had spread, it was too late to save him. We lost him in March after a terribly brutal illness. He kept his strength and sense of humour until the last moment.  For Andrew (Woody) to run in support of OPA means so much to the family, and it would have meant the world to him, as we want to think that other families in our position and in the position Paul was in will benefit from much needed support they offer.  Paul is missed everyday, he was a brilliant husband and Dad, and was loved so much it can’t be measured, life for his family is now lived alongside his memory instead of alongside him, but they try to make him proud along the way. They are very grateful that others will hear his story, and that he is not forgotten.

Andrew has always hated running and drunkenly agreed to take part in to Standard Chartered Half Marathon in Hong Kong.  After agreeing to do it, he enrolled hoping he wouldn’t  make the cut but he did.  Running for Paul is the only thing motivating him to get up at 5.30am every morning and train 5 times a week.  At the moment he’s only managed 10k but still has 2 months training.  Any sponsorship will be greatly received for a great cause.

Take a look and support Andrew’s Just Giving page here.

I’m pleased to say myself and my brother Lee completed the Barrows and Downs trail marathon in Salisbury on Saturday the 12th October. 

It was very very tough, both mentally and physically, but thoughts and memories of Danny got us both through it. 

We wanted to raise money for OPA in memory of our brother in law Danny Gamble. Danny passed away in August last year after a short battle with Oesophageal cancer. 

Danny was only in his mid 40s, with a devoted wife Vicki, a 14 year old son Arthur, and an 11 year old daughter Betsy. A month before his diagnosis, Danny was fit and healthy, playing football and working as a builder, before he started to feel very ill. 

Within two weeks of his diagnosis, Danny was taken from us, we only just had enough time to say goodbye. 

Danny was a cheeky chappy, full of charm and banter. He was also very kind and compassionate. We therefore wanted to do something to celebrate his life, and raise money towards a charity that helps people and families that go through the same thing, with hopefully a different outcome. 

Including gift aid we have raised £2656.25 through our justgiving page, some of this was also raised as a result of our charity football match in honour of Danny on the 15th September

Thank you

Ellen 

“In February 2019, my dad, Rich, was diagnosed with Oesophageal cancer. At the time, Dad described it as a “bolt from the blue” and hearing the ‘C’ word (not that one…) felt huge. His main symptom had been hiccups. He’d been going to the doctors for about a year being given various pills and potions to try and get rid of his hiccups before his diagnosis.

Following his diagnosis, and thanks to our wonderful NHS, Dad went through years of chemotherapy, immunotherapy research drug trials, radiotherapy & a huge operation, which gave him a couple of impressive shark-bite style scars. He approached his diagnosis and treatment with a brave, positive mental attitude. He didn’t let it grind him down and he continued to say yes to every opportunity and new experience whilst he could.

We sadly lost Dad in December 2023. He did so well for so long and his positivity was incredible. He was the best Dad and I feel very lucky that we had him in our lives for the time that we did. We are now adjusting to our lives with a dad-shaped hole in it and we miss him beyond belief.

OPA are one of the fantastic charities that helped my Dad and for that, I am very grateful.

My best friend, Faye, and I decided to run the Bristol Half Marathon and thought it would be a good way to raise money for OPA. Together our friends and families managed to raise over £1300 and it was such a great day! We had a picture of my dad on our backs & the support from the crowds and fellow runners (not sure I can call myself that!) was incredible! It was 23° and absolutely sweltering but so worth it!!”

– Rosie Murrell

More images can be found on Rosie’s Gallery Page – https://oldsite.opa.org.uk/news/portfolio-item/rosie-murrell-bristol-half-marathon/

“My name is Ryan and I want to help raise as much money as I possibly can to help the OPA Cancer Charity.

The reason I’m passionate about it is my father was diagnosed with it 13 years ago and due to early diagnosis Mr Grant Fullarton, the consultant he was blessed to be assigned, was able to operate and save his life. He is still alive today thanks to the amazing work done by all supporting this noble cause.

It was a long dark road for my dad and our family and I appreciate other families aren’t so lucky. With more money the OPA can really make a difference to peoples lives.

The OPA does a lot of good work helping families of people who get this horrible killer disease.

Oesophageal is the fastest rising and most under funded cancer type, so lets do our bit to help the cause.

I’m running a charity golf tournament via my work, Aviva, with a raffle of prizes people have kindly  donated to the cause. Aviva will £ match monies raised!

Please, only if you have it, can you help us reach our target of £3k. We have stalled at £660. Your help would be appreciated and for an amazing cause.

The link to donate is below, and if you would like to;
* Donate a gift to be raffled (that would be very helpful)
* want to play in the golf day
Please email me at – ryan.mcgrory123@yahoo.com

Link to donate straight to the cause- Ryan’s fundraiser for OPA Cancer Charity

“As it was my 70th Birthday on 6th June and thank goodness I have my good health!!
I decided to organise a party to fund raise and support the charity close to my heart OPA.

My brother Brian served in the West Midlands police for 30yrs he was very fit and healthy at the age of 48, till he started showing the signs of this awful disease oesophageal cancer. We knew nothing about the systems of this disease which is one reason now why I want to help make people aware of the systems, its at times like this we need support for the patient and the families going through it.

We had a fantastic night in memory of Brian, I had over 30 raffle prizes and some amazing hand made items and paintings donated by our Sister Sally for the silent auction which that alone reached over £700, I made little goody boxes for every one containing cakes ,chocs, an OPA badge and of course a leaflet with what signs to look out for in this disease.

Music by DJ and entertainer Mark Tolliss and a personal friend sang 60s / 70s for us to dance to. In total the evening raised £4,000, for the OPA.  I am still over whelmed by the whole evening and generosity of people, it was so worth while organising it and a night to remember forever.

Mo xx”

More photos and videos can be found here- https://opa.org.uk/opa-gallery/

“I chose to complete a wing walk for the OPA charity in memory of my dad, Nick Preston. I chose a wing walk because of the love of planes that me and my dad shared (however this does not mean that i was not extremely nervous lol). We had been to many air shows together along with my mom and sister and watched many wing walks so I wanted to do something different and relevant to raise money for the charity in memory of my dad.

The wing walk itself was absolutely amazing, from start to finish. I was shown a safety briefing to start with, explaining how to get on the aircraft, any hand signals to communicate with the pilot so he could check whether I was okay up there or not. I had a discussion with my pilot beforehand who asked how intense I wanted the wing walk to be and I of course asked for it to be the most adrenaline based flight possible. When actually in the air it was absolutely freezing as it was very windy however I can’t believe how safe I felt the whole time, it was so much fun I didn’t want to come down. We reached a height of around 400ft and around 150mph.”

“Why i chose the OPA:

Going back a few months, his symptoms had started in March 2021, unfortunately the severity of his condition was continuously missed by GP’s and he was wrongly diagnosed with a variety of minor illnesses such as chest infections and acid reflux. This continued for 3 months, until June 2021, when he was finally referred for an endoscopy, but devastatingly the cancer was missed yet again after he was wrongly diagnosed with a completely different and curable condition and received biopsy results stating ‘no cancer found’. It was when he went back a month later on 26th June for a ‘curative’ procedure that we were told that he had been misdiagnosed and he actually had Oesophageal cancer. This was obviously a huge shock and tremendous blow but we all tried to remain positive, especially my dad, whilst over the following months he went for further tests and procedures to find out what stage he was at and hopefully create a treatment plan. Sadly we didn’t receive the news we wanted and were told that he was stage 4 with the cancer having spread to his stomach and lymph nodes meaning a cure was not possible. Despite this, he still managed to maintained a positive outlook and never once moaned or asked why him. The plan was to start a treatment plan involving chemotherapy to help his symptoms and hopefully prolong his life. He started his first round of intensive chemo in October 2021, it was harsh on his body and gave him horrendous side effects meaning he was weak, tired and unable to continue working which was something that he really missed. Despite how tough everything was he persevered and his first scans after treatment were positive, showing a reduction in the size of the tumor, he was able to eat properly for the first time in months, something we were all so happy and relieved to see. Although the chemo appeared to be working it was also having a very negative effect on the rest of his body, meaning he needed blood transfusions and so the decision was made to reduce the strength of the chemo therapy drug, sadly this also meant that it was no longer as effective as his symptom and inability to eat eventually returned in March 2022, ironically it was exactly the same date that the symptoms had started the previous year.

The months that followed were tough for everyone, with the return of his symptoms he was once again unable to eat, meaning that not only was his body being ravaged by the chemotherapy he was growing weaker from not being able to eat. He continued having treatment, although by this point it was ineffective and the cancer continued to spread, eventually reaching his bones meaning he was in a great deal of pain. Despite this he continued to carry on taking each day as it came and maintaining a positive attitude for the sake of his family. With his condition deteriorating his oncologist applied for a place on an immunotherapy trial as a last bid to help his quality of life. He was accepted which was a beacon of hope to all of us but unfortunately in late August his condition deteriorated rapidly with him being in severe pain and barely able to stand up and he was admitted into hospital on the 26th August, the same week he was meant to start the clinical trial. We all thought this was going to be a short stay to rebuild his strength ahead of his new treatment but devastatingly that wasn’t to be and he passed away in hospital on the 5th September 2022.”

Thank you to Stacey Preston for sharing this story and choosing to support the OPA!

“Tom is jumping for OPA as sadly his father Nigel,  passed away at the age of 55 from oesophageal cancer.  Tom is one of 5 so he was not the only one who was and is greatly affected by this. Toms family continues to expand with lots of nieces and nephews who sadly did not get the chance to meet their grandfather.” – Emily Brown

Tom’s Bungee Jump was from 300ft, which you can watch on the Video below.

A HUGE thank you to Tom & Emily.

Emily Brown is fundraising for OPA Cancer Charity (justgiving.com)