Brixton resident Dan Kelly (left) has organised a team of 18 to take part in the Vitality British 10K London Run in central London on Sunday 10 July to raise awareness and funds for the charity Pancreatic Cancer Action. You can donate here.
He recently discovered that his old school friend Jess’ father Graham died from pancreatic cancer only six months after diagnosis.
Dan says: “Jess was my first ever crush as a kid. We were friends at primary school, and better ones at secondary school. She had a kind heart. She was one of those people.”
“What I saw, mainly over social media, were people marvelling at how he (Graham) did not complain when he was given the news, and how he met every day with a positive attitude. He didn’t waste his breath asking ‘why me?’ when, instead he could spend that energy loving his family, and his new grandson, even more than before.
“It reminded me of the friend I had known from years before, a person who took everything in their stride and just gave it a shot. I would like to show my gratitude for everything Jess did for me as we grew up together by raising money in memory of her father”
Pancreatic Cancer is the UK’s fifth biggest cancer killer and 26 people die a day from the disease. The five-year survival rate is just 4%, a figure which has not changed in almost 50 years. Survival rates remain low because of late detection. Dan says: “That’s why I’ll be raising money for Pancreatic Cancer Action, a charity with a central focus on improving early diagnosis of pancreatic cancer.”
Ali Stunt, pancreatic cancer survivor and Founder of the charity, said: “We are delighted that Dan and the team are giving their time to support Pancreatic Cancer Action.
“As a charity, we rely on the generosity of people like this to help us continue our vital work. Please back the team in their fundraising efforts so that we can continue research into early diagnosis and raise awareness of pancreatic cancer.”
If you would like to hear more of Dan’s story you can read his blog ‘Friend in Me’ and to help the team reach their target please sponsor on their Just giving page.
