Two sisters from the Isle of Mull are taking part in the Glasgow Kiltwalk on Sunday, April 28, to raise money for Pancreatic Cancer Action Scotland in memory of their mum, Rachel, who died of pancreatic cancer in September 2022, aged 62.
Debbie and Kirsty Rutherford – along with Debbie’s fiancé Larry Higton, who is also taking part in the walk – chose to raise money for Pancreatic Cancer Action Scotland as the charity is dedicated to saving lives through early diagnosis.
Debbie said: “Mum was so special. Throughout her 22-month battle with pancreatic cancer, she showed unbelievable resilience.”
“Fundraising and raising awareness are a great way to keep Mum’s legacy alive,” adds sister Kirsty. “It allows us to speak about Mum’s courageous battle whilst raising funds in the hope that eventually others don’t go through what we did.”
Rachel Rutherford first started feeling unwell shortly after her 60th birthday in February 2020.
She had celebrated her milestone birthday with a weekend of family celebrations at her home on the Isle of Mull. She had also just become a grandmother for the first time and was relishing spending time with her grandson Cian.
Rachel started experiencing bloating, initially dismiss it. But when the feeling persisted, she went to see the doctor. She was prescribed indigestion medicine and was told no further investigations were needed.
Rachel’s symptoms worsened and she was given a scan in October 2020, that showed she had a mass on her pancreas. The oncologist was hopeful the tumour could be surgically removed.
Rachel began what would end up being six rounds of chemotherapy in an effort to shrink the tumour so that surgery could be carried out. She suffered multiple side effects and was hospitalised with life-threatening sepsis.
In May 2022, Rachel had two rounds of chemotherapy and developed sepsis again, which led to a three-week hospital stay. She planned to restart chemotherapy later, but it wasn’t to be.
Rachel passed away at home on September 14, 2022 with her children Craig, Debbie and Kirsty and her sister by her side.
Since then, Debbie and Kirsty have been facing the reality of life without their Mum.
I miss her presence,” said Kirsty. “Just knowing she was around was enough to make you feel safe. It will forever feel like something is missing without her. I miss her cheeky texts and just being able to pick up the phone and call her. I miss the simple things like having a cup of tea and a gossip.”
Debbie and Larry, who got engaged in December 2020, are contemplating life’s big milestones without Debbie’s Mum Rachel there with them.
Debbie said: “My Mum will never see me in my wedding dress or walk down the aisle. She will never get to see me as a Mum or spoil the grandchildren she would adore. I won’t have my Mum to lean on in those daunting times when I don’t have a clue what I’m doing.
“I could never have predicted I would lose my Mum so early on in life. You always assume you have all the time in the world but when something as devastating as pancreatic cancer hits your life, you’re left clutching time that is always running out.”
Debbie and Kirsty hope that taking part in the Glasgow Kiltwalk will help raise important funds for Pancreatic Cancer Action Scotland in its effort to help save lives through earlier diagnosis.
Kirsty added: “Before Mum was diagnosed, I had heard of pancreatic cancer but that’s about it. That’s why I think it’s important we raise more awareness as it’s not one of the cancers that you hear about as much as others, although it’s the one with the scariest statistics.”
Pancreatic cancer is the deadliest of all common cancers, with a five-year survival rate of less than 8 per cent.
Each year more than 900 people in Scotland are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Around 26 people die from pancreatic cancer every day in the UK. With early diagnosis, pancreatic cancer can be survived.
Pancreatic Cancer Action Scotland is dedicated to raising awareness of the disease and funding research into early detection and treatment. To find out more, visit www.panact.org
To donate to Debbie, Kirsty and Larry’s Just Giving page visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/debbierutherford-65c0a85fa26abd02186d26be
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