Latest news with #MyelomaUK
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Daughter's marathon effort in fight against myeloma
A woman is running six marathons around Europe in honour of her father who died from an incurable blood cancer. Annette Taylor, 44, from Pocklington, East Yorkshire, set herself a challenge of running more than 150 miles after Dave Duff died in November 2023. The mother-of-three will take part in races in Paris, Athens, Manchester, Leeds, Chester and York to raise awareness of myeloma, a deadly blood cancer. She said she wanted to "help save others by running in memory of my dad". "My dad was a wonderful man and we were very close," Ms Taylor said. "We'd never heard of myeloma before so it was a big shock when he was diagnosed, and an even bigger shock when we found his condition was incurable. "Running in memory of my dad might help me save others." Ms Taylor's efforts will be in aid of Myeloma UK. There are about 33,000 people in the UK living with the disease, which affects bone marrow, according to the charity. Symptoms include pain in the back or ribs, fatigue and bones that break easily. Mr Duff had back pain for more than a year before he was diagnosed with myeloma in January 2018. "Because Dad worked a physical job as a site manager at a caravan park, when he complained of back pain we just thought he was overdoing it," Ms Taylor said. "After a slipped disc, he had tests which revealed fractures in his spine and he was diagnosed with osteoporosis that then led to an investigation which unearthed the cancer." Despite being unwell, he managed to walk his daughter down the aisle when she married her husband Dale in 2023. He died aged 67. "I know Dad would have wanted me to focus on the positives like he did," Ms Taylor said. "That's why I am running six marathons for him this year." Listen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here. Myeloma UK
BBC News
26-05-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Pocklington woman's marathon effort in fight against myeloma
A woman is running six marathons around Europe in honour of her father who died from an incurable blood Taylor, 44, from Pocklington, East Yorkshire, set herself a challenge of running more than 150 miles after Dave Duff died in November mother-of-three will take part in races in Paris, Athens, Manchester, Leeds, Chester and York to raise awareness of myeloma, a deadly blood said she wanted to "help save others by running in memory of my dad". "My dad was a wonderful man and we were very close," Ms Taylor said."We'd never heard of myeloma before so it was a big shock when he was diagnosed, and an even bigger shock when we found his condition was incurable."Running in memory of my dad might help me save others."Ms Taylor's efforts will be in aid of Myeloma are about 33,000 people in the UK living with the disease, which affects bone marrow, according to the charity. Symptoms include pain in the back or ribs, fatigue and bones that break Duff had back pain for more than a year before he was diagnosed with myeloma in January 2018."Because Dad worked a physical job as a site manager at a caravan park when he complained of back pain, we just thought he was overdoing it," Ms Taylor said."After a slipped disc, he had tests which revealed fractures in his spine and he was diagnosed with osteoporosis that then led to an investigation which unearthed the cancer." Despite being unwell, he managed to walk his daughter down the aisle when she married her husband Dale in 2023. He died aged 67."I know Dad would have wanted me to focus on the positives like he did," Ms Taylor said."That's why I am running six marathons for him this year."Listen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.
Daily Mirror
23-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
'GP gave stepdad laxatives, but we knew something was very wrong'
Ronnie Haston was planning for retirement, but died two weeks after being admitted to hospital A devoted stepfather died from cancer after his symptoms were initially dismissed as constipation. Beth Hunt, 42, a nurse from East Calder, lost her stepfather Ronnie Haston to myeloma in April 2024, two weeks after he was admitted to hospital. Ronnie, who was just 68, owned a hearing devices business, and had always been active and healthy. He was making plans for his retirement, when he became suddenly unwell in March last year - but after a phone consultation with the GP, his symptoms were put down to constipation. "It was two weeks from admission to hospital until he died," said Beth. "He was fit and healthy, he had no underlying health conditions. It was a complete shock to us all. He didn't get to enjoy one day of retirement with my mum or do any of the future they had planned together. "It started with constipation, which the GP gave him laxatives for. He was really fatigued and had muscle pain. He just didn't look right." Ronnie was told he needed a blood test but would have to wait two weeks for it. At her wit's end, Beth's mum Anne took Ronnie to A&E. Tests there showed his kidney function had plummeted to just 14 per cent. He had extremely high calcium levels. He was eventually diagnosed with myeloma, a form of blood cancer which around 33,000 people across the UK are living with. Sadly, Ronnie passed away after two weeks in hospital. 'They'd said he would start chemo and they had a full plan,' said Beth. 'They said he would be a good candidate for a stem cell transplant. He ended up having two lots of chemo whist very unwell with pneumonia and then two days later he died. "He pretty much went into multi-organ failure. It's shocking, completely shocking.' She added: 'It's not people's fault, it's the system's fault. The catalogue of errors, the wait. We kept saying, 'He needs a blood test', but he couldn't get a blood test for two weeks. "In this day and age how is that acceptable? If somebody is unwell, you need the blood test now. Even in hospital, it was all too little too late. The big thing for me is educating GPs. "The symptoms of myeloma are sometimes non-descript and not obvious. You could put them down to muscle ache and being tired, but these should be red flags for a GP, especially in someone with no underlying conditions and having never been to a GP apart from with cellulitis from mosquito bites. "If Ronnie hadn't been so unwell by the time he got into hospital, he would have been in a better position to fight it." In honour of her beloved stepfather, mum-of-two Beth has decided to run the Edinburgh Marathon to raise money for Myeloma UK. 'I signed up to the Edinburgh Marathon on the evening of Ronnie's funeral," she said. "When I ran a 10-mile eight years ago, mum and Ronnie were my biggest supporters. They ran across Edinburgh to meet me at as many points as they could. It's my first marathon, but when I decide to do something I do it. 'I know I can do at least half but I'll probably have to push through the last six miles. I think of Ronnie and my mum when I run – the last year without him has been awful for her. If she can wake up without him and can put one foot in front of the other then I can take it one step at a time too.' So far, she has raised over £1,500 of her £2,000 target, and hopes to ensure that no other families have to go through the sudden loss of a loved one. Ronnie always was a strong presence in our family," said Beth 'I'd had him in my life since I was 19. You don't realise the impact someone had until you lose them. He was a gentle man. He was always someone you could lean on. He'd never judge, he'd always support you and just show up. If I can do anything to help other families then I want to do it. "Myeloma UK's support is totally invaluable and had Ronnie been able to live longer it would have been very useful to us. Life will never be the same without him. It is so cliche, but the reality is life is short and so precious. "I want to support other families; I don't want anybody else to go through this."
Daily Record
22-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
Scots stepfather passed away after his symptoms were dismissed as constipation
Ronnie was told he needed a blood test but would have to wait two weeks for it. At her wit's end, Beth's mum Anne took Ronnie to A&E. A devoted stepfather has passed away from cancer - after his symptoms were initially dismissed as constipation. Beth Hunt, 42, a nurse from East Calder, lost her beloved stepfather Ronnie Haston to myeloma in April 2024, just two weeks after he was admitted to hospital. Ronnie, who was just 68, owned a hearing devices business, and had always been active and healthy. He was making plans for his retirement, when he became suddenly unwell in March last year - but after a phone consultation with the GP, his symptoms were put down to constipation. "It was two weeks from admission to hospital until he died," said Beth. "He was fit and healthy, he had no underlying health conditions. It was a complete shock to us all. He didn't get to enjoy one day of retirement with my mum or do any of the future they had planned together. "It started with constipation, which the GP gave him laxatives for. He was really fatigued and had muscle pain. He just didn't look right." Ronnie was told he needed a blood test but would have to wait two weeks for it. At her wit's end, Beth's mum Anne took Ronnie to A&E. Tests there showed his kidney function had plummeted to just 14 per cent. He had extremely high calcium levels. He was eventually diagnosed with myeloma, a form of blood cancer which around 33,000 people across the UK are living with. Sadly, Ronnie passed away after two weeks in hospital. "They'd said he would start chemo and they had a full plan," said Beth. "They said he would be a good candidate for a stem cell transplant. He ended up having two lots of chemo whist very unwell with pneumonia and then two days later he died. "He pretty much went into multi-organ failure. It's shocking, completely shocking." She added: "It's not people's fault, it's the system's fault. "The catalogue of errors, the wait. We kept saying, 'He needs a blood test', but he couldn't get a blood test for two weeks. "In this day and age how is that acceptable? If somebody is unwell, you need the blood test now. Even in hospital, it was all too little too late. "The big thing for me is educating GPs. The symptoms of myeloma are sometimes non-descript and not obvious. "You could put them down to muscle ache and being tired, but these should be red flags for a GP, especially in someone with no underlying conditions and having never been to a GP apart from with cellulitis from mosquito bites. "If Ronnie hadn't been so unwell by the time he got into hospital, he would have been in a better position to fight it." In honour of her beloved stepfather, mum-of-two Beth has decided to run the Edinburgh Marathon to raise money for Myeloma UK. "I signed up to the Edinburgh Marathon on the evening of Ronnie's funeral," she said. "When I ran a 10-mile eight years ago, mum and Ronnie were my biggest supporters. They ran across Edinburgh to meet me at as many points as they could. "It's my first marathon, but when I decide to do something I do it. I know I can do at least half but I'll probably have to push through the last six miles. "I think of Ronnie and my mum when I run - the last year without him has been awful for her. If she can wake up without him and can put one foot in front of the other then I can take it one step at a time too." Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. So far, she has raised over £1,500 of her £2,000 target, and hopes to ensure that no other families have to go through the sudden loss of a loved one. "Ronnie always was a strong presence in our family," said Beth "I'd had him in my life since I was 19. You don't realise the impact someone had until you lose them. He was a gentle man. He was always someone you could lean on. He'd never judge, he'd always support you and just show up. "If I can do anything to help other families then I want to do it. Myeloma UK's support is totally invaluable and had Ronnie been able to live longer it would have been very useful to us. "Life will never be the same without him. It is so cliche, but the reality is life is short and so precious. I want to support other families; I don't want anybody else to go through this."
Daily Record
22-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
Dad did not eat his Christmas dinner then got cancer diagnosis
Jim Delaney, 66, who lives in Edinburgh, had noticed subtle signs leading up to the festive period, including unexplained weight loss, tiredness, and back pain A dad of two was diagnosed with cancer after his children noticed he had lost his appetite for Christmas dinner. Jim Delaney, 66, had been experiencing subtle symptoms such as unexplained weight loss, fatigue, and back pain leading up to the festive season, but it was on Christmas Day that his adult children, Emer and Kealan, aged 27 and 31, realised something was seriously amiss. The Edinburgh siblings became concerned when Jim struggled to eat his most cherished meal of the year – his Christmas dinner – prompting them to insist he visit a doctor. It was there that Jim was diagnosed with myeloma, a type of blood cancer. "We noticed he was losing weight and he was quite sleepy," Emer said. The real alarm bells rang due to his back pain and lack of interest in his favourite festive foods, reports Bristol Live. 'Something is wrong' "We knew something was wrong," Emer said. Following the holiday season, Jim consulted his GP and, in 2020, after undergoing various appointments and blood tests, he was diagnosed with myeloma at the age of 61. "It was a bit of a shock," Emer admitted. "My dad was out for a walk one day when the phone rang and it was the GP saying he needed to go to the hospital ASAP. I had to phone my parents and say, 'Something is wrong'. "He was diagnosed quickly. The healthcare professionals were all quite shocked he was even able to go for a walk because the myeloma was very advanced. That sums up the type of person my dad is." Jim has faced a tough battle, undergoing chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant only for his cancer to return last year, requiring further treatment and a second stem cell transplant in an effort to control the disease. Fortunately, Jim is now stable. "He's back at work and doing amazing," Emer said. Running the Edinburgh Half Marathon Last year, Emer ran the Edinburgh Half Marathon to gather funds for Myeloma UK after the charity became a pillar of support and information for the family during Jim's health battles. "One of the first things we did when he was diagnosed was Google myeloma and it was very helpful to find Myeloma UK and to have resources to help us understand it and break it down," Emer said. Her motivation to raise money for Myeloma UK was fuelled by her father's condition, and her hope that if he relapsed, there would be other treatments available, new options which might allow him to lead a good quality of life. Emer felt empowered to tackle a full marathon this year after successfully completing the half marathon last year for Myeloma UK. Her brother, inspired by her dedication, decided to join and will run the half marathon, and together they aim to raise £1,500 for the charity. Emer recalls her novice status before taking on the previous year's challenge: "Before the Edinburgh Half Marathon last year, I'd done no running at all," she admitted. "Now I'm doing my first full marathon – it's been a journey. "Over the last few weeks, the training has gotten more challenging, but, when I'm running, I tend to think about the challenges my dad has faced in and out of hospital, and his courageous nature to carry on." Kealan said: "After seeing my sister do such a great job last year at the half marathon and raising an amazing amount for Myeloma UK, I was inspired to take on the challenge for such a great cause. I'm running this half marathon in tribute to my dad and everyone affected by myeloma. "It's not just about crossing the finish line, it's about showing strength, raising awareness, and supporting the incredible work of this charity. Every step I take is for him and the fight he's facing with courage every day." Myeloma often goes undetected Myeloma, an incurable blood cancer found in the bone marrow, affects over 33,000 people in the UK. Despite being the third most common type of blood cancer, it often goes undetected due to symptoms that can be mistaken for general ageing or minor ailments. Although incurable, treatment is possible for the majority of myeloma cases. Emer and Kealan are determined to raise funds for the charity to continue research into the disease – for their father and all other families impacted. Emer said: "I want to prove to myself that I can do it and I want my dad to be proud of me. "We are a very close family and are so lucky to have one another and good support networks who have kept us going and keep us positive. My dad himself has run marathons, so when it gets a bit tough I think, 'Well, I want to be like him. "I want him to be proud of me and if he can sit through lengthy treatments, then I can absolutely run a marathon for him. Kealan added: "My dad truly is my hero. I've never met a man who can remain so positive and show such determination every single day. "He's the sort of person that would have undergone the most horrific of treatments and would never complain and ask about your day instead. He would do anything for anyone and always has a smile on his face whilst doing so. "This Is for you Dad, keep fighting the good fight." To support Emer and Kealan, go to
