Jan Mortimore

Diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer in February 2018, Mum/Jan bravely lived with the aggressive disease for 2.5 years. She refused to let it stop her from doing all the things she loved ...mainly walking and eating lots of cake!! .... with her family and friends, who meant so much to her.

Three lots of gruelling chemotherapy enabled her to see her youngest Daughter get married last year and she was also able to enjoy holidays to Devon, Cornwall, the Cotswolds and Centre Parcs, making many special memories along the way! These treatments meant we had that extra valuable time that many families don't get.

In the weeks before she died on 13th July 2020 she often said she 'felt like she had won the lottery with all her family and friends'. A reflection of how much she thought of them - and how much we all loved her!

She was kind, caring, dignified and so very brave - thinking of others until the end, when she fell asleep peacefully and didn't have to suffer any more.

With Mum/Jan it was all about the living. In her 2.5 years from diagnosis we had tremendous support from the Specialist Nurses at Pancreatic Cancer UK .

Their free helpline provided us with invaluable support and advice which helped Mum to live life to the full despite her diagnosis. They helped us to explore treatment options, second opinions, clinical trials and symptom and pain management - and most importantly provide invaluable support to keep us going so we could stay positive and strong for Mum/Jan.

In honour of Mum/Jan - who was always keen to help and support others, we want to help many more people and families like ours, having to live with this awful disease.

We want to take Mum/Jan's drive and enthusiasm for life, and love of the outdoors (and cake!) to continue to raise money and support such a great cause.

We invite others to help us by simply donating ... or taking on a challenge or fundraising event in Mum/Jan's memory.

Although she's no longer with us her spirit and love for life lives on in us all, who had the pleasure to know her.

Let's continue that legacy by helping others facing the tough Pancreatic Cancer journey and make sure they don't have to do it alone ..... and let them know that although every day may not be good ..... you can still find something good in every day.