In memory of Sue Ballard, founder of Pancreatic Cancer UK.

The pancreatic cancer community are very saddened to hear the news that Sue Ballard has passed away following a courageous 3 year battle with ovarian cancer.

Sue’s husband was diagnosed with inoperable pancreatic cancer in 2001 aged 48 and survived 27 months. Following his death in 2003, Sue became involved in cancer advocacy locally, regionally and nationally through cancer charities and the cancer network to improve treatment and care for pancreatic cancer.

Sue founded Pancreatic Cancer UK in 2003, which has subsequently helped many people affected by the disease. Over the years she held many varying roles within the National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI), the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and the National Cancer Intelligence Network (NCIN) as well as supporting the work of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Pancreatic Cancer (APPGPC). She was latterly a member of The Cancer Research UK National Cancer Diagnosis Audit Steering Committee as she continued to be a voice campaigning for changes to cancer outcomes.

As an active member of the pancreatic cancer community, Sue provided support and advice to many families with her knowledge and experience.

As we remember and recognise Sue’s passion to change the pancreatic cancer story, our thoughts are with Sue’s family, friends and all who knew her.

“It is with sadness that we have learnt of the death of Sue Ballard, Founder and Chair of Pancreatic Cancer UK (2003 -2009). Sue had tirelessly fought and campaigned for a greater public awareness of pancreatic cancer and was a prominent member on several leading cancer steering groups. A familiar face at Pancreatic Society annual conferences, her energies in supporting and speaking for those with lesser known cancers will be greatly missed.” Ashley Dennison, Pancreatic Cancer Society of Great Britain