Omagh woman’s Spanish trek to take on pancreatic cancer
Chereen Clarke, from Omagh will be trekking a huge 110 kilometre Spanish hike across the Camino de Santiago trail on the 28th September. She will take on the challenge with four of her friends in memory of her father, Terry McGoldrick, who sadly passed from pancreatic cancer on August 8th, 2016.
Terry was diagnosed on the 14th February 2016 after experiencing poor appetite, indigestion, fatigue, yellowing of the eyes and trouble swallowing months before. These pains got so bad that he had to visit his local A&E department where he was sent for tests and was later diagnosed with the disease. He sadly passed away just 6 short months later on the 8th August 2016.
Chereen says “Raising awareness is so important to me so that in some small way I can help others in the future get early diagnosis.”
“It is important to know your own body, and if you feel something is wrong to get checked immediately by the GP. If you are not happy with your GP’s response always ask to get a second opinion from another GP just to be sure.”
Pancreatic cancer is the UK’s 5th biggest cancer killer. The survival rate is just 5% which is the lowest of any cancer.
Pancreatic Cancer Action is committed to working towards earlier diagnosis of the disease so that surgery, currently the only cure, is made available to the sufferer. The charity fund research into early diagnosis, provide medical education programmes, and launch awareness campaigns.
Ali Stunt, Founder of Pancreatic Cancer Action, said: “We are delighted that Chereen and her team are giving their time to support Pancreatic Cancer Action in this amazing challenge. We are very sorry to hear of Terry’s passing, the trek is a lovely way to remember him and raise awareness of the disease.”
“We rely solely on donations from the public and thanks to people like Chereen that we can continue our vital work. Please back her in in her fundraising efforts so that we can continue research into early diagnosis and raise awareness of pancreatic cancer.”
To sponsor Chereen, please visit her Just Giving page:
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/chereen-clarke
If you feel inspired to take on your own fundraising challenges please take a look at our challenges page.