Bev’s Story

On 29th December my husband was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer after suffering with acid reflux for quite a while…we thought it was a hiatus hernia…we were right…but some cells had mutated and a tumor had formed at the base of his oesophagus. After a PET scan and a weeks anxious wait, it was confirmed that it hadn’t migrated and he could be operated on…the relief was immense. 

He has just had his first round of FLOT chemotherapy and so far he is well. 

In April 2008 my mum was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer, unfortunately, unlike my husband, she couldn’t be cured and passed away on New Year’s Eve 2009. 

5 years later my eldest sister passed away from oesophageal cancer. 

So as you can see, I have had my fair share of heart break over this terrible disease….i know though that treatment has advanced so much since then & my husband is benefitting from all the research that has been done since 2008 when my lovely mum was diagnosed, I had never encountered cancer in my family before then. 

So, strangely I found the OPA on some bumf that we had been given at the hospital in one of the packs so I read up on it and it just so happened that February is oesophagal awareness month so I felt like I wanted to do my bit. 

I am a driving instructor and a few years ago I took part in something called the ‘Big Learner relay’ for children in need..it was a nationwide event where the founder, Louise Walsh, organised different instructors in different areas to drive from one town to the other with a special ‘top box’ on their car and pass it to another instructor where they would drive to another town and pass it on…so the top box, and Lou, did a big relay from one end of the country to the other, Lou sat in the ‘lead car’ with the top box on and there was a procession of driving instructors following, it was quite a site!!! Aswell as the special top box, all the cars in the procession bought ‘children in need’ coloured spots for their cars and kept them on while they were fund raising before the main event. 

Unfortunately, on the 10th year of the big learner relay, Lou passed away suddenly and the event hasn’t gone ahead since then…the driving instructor world was shocked at this and Lou has left a big hole that no one else can fill…so, like I said, I wanted to do my bit for OPA so, I dug my spots out and stuck them on my car & anyone who wants to sign a spot can donate to the charity…it’s great fun and my learners love having a spotty car to drive!! So here’s a couple of pictures of my car so you can see what it looks like and some of the big learner relay where the idea all started.

Thank You, Bev, your spotty car is spreading hope, raising awareness, and supporting those affected by oesophageal cancer. We’re so grateful for your energy, dedication, and heart — thank you for helping us drive change!