Remembering Shirley on her birthday
- Posted: 29 September 2026
- 1 min read
Today (29th September) would have been Shirley’s birthday.
So, on what would have been a special day for Shirley and her family, we’re sharing her story, in their words to remember the bubbly, smiling person they loved and to help raise awareness of pancreatic cancer.
Shirley first became unwell in September 2024, experiencing sickness and nausea for several weeks. She visited her doctors and was diagnosed with acid reflux and prescribed anti-sickness medication.
But Shirley didn’t get better.
By October, she had started to lose weight and was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Despite treatment, her symptoms continued. By early 2025, she was experiencing unbearable pain in her lower stomach and back.
An MRI eventually revealed the devastating news that Shirley had pancreatic cancer which had already spread to her liver.
She was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer in March 2025 and given an estimated six months to live without treatment, or up to 12 months with treatment.
Sadly, despite receiving treatment, Shirley died in January 2026.
She the bubbliest person and always had a smile on her face, no matter how she felt.
Family of Shirley Crease
Today, they are turning their grief into action.
Shirley’s sister Audrey, brother-in-law George and niece Amber took on a charity abseil in her memory, raising an incredible £2,800 for Pancreatic Cancer Action to support our work towards early diagnosis.
We want more people to know the signs and symptoms of pancreatic cancer, to know when something isn’t right, and to feel confident seeking medical advice. Shirley’s story is a reminder of why awareness matters.
Today, we remember Shirley.
Happy birthday, Shirley. 💜
And to Audrey, George and Amber, thank you for honouring Shirley’s memory and helping us make pancreatic cancer harder to miss.
Inspired to make a difference?
Whether you abseil, run, walk, cycle or take on something completely different, you can help raise awareness and funds so more people have the chance of an early diagnosis.
Take on a challenge for PCA