Kelly's Story
When Kelly lost her sister Kathy to pancreatic cancer, she was devastated. In her search for answers, she was also searching for a way to create change and a way to carry her sister’s memory forward.
What started as a quiet act of support, a small monthly donation, has grown into something lasting. A steady, compassionate commitment to improving outcomes for people diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
“I just needed to do something. I typed a few words into Google and found Pankind. They were doing research. It felt right. It felt like action.”
A diagnosis that came too late
Kathy had always been vibrant, sharp and full of life. At 58, she was in the final years of working alongside people she loved, had recently moved to a place she adored and was making plans for retirement.
For months, she had been living with what seemed like manageable symptoms, back pain, some digestive discomfort, the sort of things anyone might dismiss. She did all the right things. She sought help, saw her GP many times, and tried physiotherapy and acupuncture. Even as the symptoms persisted and became more painful, still no one recognised it as pancreatic cancer.
It wasn’t until she was diagnosed that we understood how serious it was. In September of 2018, it was confirmed she had stage 4 pancreatic cancer.
“We all flew to be with her straight away. Once we knew that we didn’t have much time left with her, we made arrangements as a family to live near her for the time she had left. The window was so small. She got very sick, very quickly.”
Just eleven weeks after her diagnosis, Kathy passed away.
“It happened so fast. And yet, for many people with pancreatic cancer, it can be even faster. We were grateful in some ways to have the ability to be with her for those 11 weeks, but it still wasn’t nearly enough.”
For Kelly and her family, those weeks were all-consuming.
“We surrounded her with our love. We were there and she knew we were there for her. It was traumatic and life changing. Especially for our parents… they were in their 80s. No parent wants to see their child endure that.”
It’s something Kelly still carries. That time, short as it was, sparked a quiet resolve. While nothing could change what happened, it marked a turning point.
“She didn’t get the chance to fight, I have to”
Just seven months after losing her sister, Kelly was diagnosed with bilateral breast cancer. Still deep in grief, she was faced with another life-changing moment.
“My first thought was, how do I tell my parents their second daughter has cancer? And my second was, Kathy didn’t even get the chance to fight. I have to.”
The contrast between the two experiences was immediate and stark. While Kathy's care was focused on comfort and end-of-life support, Kelly had access to early treatment, specialist teams and a full care pathway.
“I had a breast care nurse, rehabilitation programmes and some of the best surgeons. I had options, access and time.”
She felt supported in ways that, looking back, her sister never had.
“Kathy had beautiful care, a kind team. But we were shell-shocked. We didn’t even know what to ask for. I’ve since learned that people can pass away from pancreatic cancer even faster than she did. That’s how delayed diagnosis can be.”
This experience gave Kelly clarity. It became the reason she chose to do more.
"I’ll always support breast cancer, of course. But I knew I had to do more for pancreatic cancer. I’ve been given the luxury of still being here, nearly six years later. People diagnosed with pancreatic cancer rarely get that chance."
Giving regularly - a steady way to stay connected and create lasting impact
Kelly’s connection to Pankind isn’t about grand gestures. It’s about doing what she can, in a way that’s consistent and considered. For her, it’s the long view, supporting the kind of change that takes time, but can save lives.
“I decided to become a regular giver because I didn’t know what else to do. I was in a really bad way after Kathy passed. But I needed to do something and that was something I could do.”
She started small. It wasn’t about the amount, but about showing up. Each month. Quietly, but with intent.
“Even now, I’m not giving a huge amount. But it’s regular. It means I’m still contributing, even when I’m not actively involved in a project or event. That matters to me.”
What motivates her most is a future where people with pancreatic cancer have a fairer chance, starting with earlier diagnosis and stronger investment in research.
“If we can catch it earlier, there’s a real chance. The Whipple procedure and other treatments can actually work but only if the cancer’s not too far along. That’s why early detection is so important and why research is everything.”
Regular giving, for Kelly, is a way to fuel that mission. It allows Pankind to plan, to fund the right projects and to keep momentum behind research that could shift the odds.
“It gives Pankind something they can rely on. And it gives me a way to keep contributing. It’s not about recognition, it's about knowing I’m part of it. That I’m helping push things forward.”
Helping others ask questions and trust their instinct
Kelly has seen how one conversation can lead to another. She never set out to be an ambassador, but by simply sharing what she’s learnt, others have taken notice.
“There was a time I couldn’t talk about it. It was too raw. But over the last few years, I’ve become more comfortable sharing. When I do, people sometimes say they’ve read something I’ve posted and it’s made them think.”
That ripple effect matters. A friend once mentioned ongoing digestive issues. After hearing Kelly’s story, they decided to speak to their GP.
“It turned out to be something else, which was great but the important part is that they asked. That’s what awareness can do. It’s about helping people trust their instinct.”
It’s also about making sure people feel supported, not overwhelmed.
“Someone once said to me, ‘It’s scary.’ And I said, ‘It’s not about scaring people. It’s about helping them feel like they can ask the question and having the confidence to say, I’m worried about this. Can we look into it?’”
To those thinking about getting involved, Kelly’s message is simple: start with what you can offer.
“Pancreatic cancer is still so underfunded, and so misunderstood. Until you walk through it with someone, you don’t realise how shocking it is. That’s why awareness matters. And honestly, anything you can do, help at an event, tell your story, donate what you can, it all adds up.”
“Just do it in any way you possibly can. That’s how we change things. Together.”
Be part of something that changes lives
People like Kelly, and people like you, are at the heart of Pankind’s mission. When you give regularly, you give us the ability to plan, to push for progress and to make research possible.
You help give people a fairer fight against pancreatic cancer. Become a regular giver today.
