An Inverkeithing mum who took part in a nationwide campaign that raised over £350,000, has sadly passed away at the age of 44.
Claire Blair, a mother of two, was tragically diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer after she began to experience constipation, pains in her stomach, and weight-loss.
As previously reported in the Press, she was sent by her GP for further tests, during which a scan showed there was something on her pancreas. A biopsy then confirmed that this was cancer, but she did not get her results until seven weeks later.
Claire believed the delay in getting her results back meant she missed out on potentially lifesaving surgery.
“A week after this, I was called in.
“They said 'It is too late; it has already spread to the liver'. If I had got the results back in the two weeks they originally said, perhaps I could have had surgery.”
Earlier this year she took part in Pancreatic Cancer UK’s Double Donations appeal which helped raise £367,501.
READ MORE: Mum with terminal cancer helps raise over £350,000 while undergoing chemo
The appeal hoped to raise money needed for early detection and new treatments for the cancer, and Claire starred alongside ‘Gavin and Stacey' star, Alison Steadman, and former world boxing champion, Amir Khan in a video.
She said: “Pancreatic cancer spreads so fast, there really isn’t any time to spare. If we are to improve survival rates, it needs more funding.
“Survival rates for breast cancer keep improving and that’s because it’s well funded. I just don’t understand why cancers with low survival rates aren’t getting the same attention.
READ MORE: Dunfermline: Family back campaign for better pancreatic cancer care
“It’s not the most common cancer but it is the deadliest and it’s worrying that, even though I had a lot of common symptoms, no one suggested I might have it.
“I fight every single day to be here as long as I can for my family. I hope with appeals such as Double Donations, people in the future won’t have to do the same.”
Sadly, Claire passed away on November 19 at the young age of 44. She leaves behind two children, Aimee and Thomas.
Her funeral will take place on Friday, December 13 at Dunfermline Crematorium at 11am. The family have asked people to wear colours, and there will be a fundraiser at the funeral for Kirkcaldy Hospital Hospice.
Currently there are no screening or early detection tests for pancreatic cancer available to help doctors.
Symptoms can include back pain, unexpected weight loss, loss of appetite, and feeling tired or having no energy.
Pancreatic cancer can have no symptoms, and sometimes they can be hard to spot, but if you are concerned, make an appointment to see your GP.
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