Marathon runner Lee Rawlinson, 51, was diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer after initially dismissing minor symptoms. Living in Essex, UK, with his wife and two children, he received the devastating news on Halloween—his cancer had spread to his liver, leaving him with months to live.

Lee first noticed a dull ache in his lower abdomen in January but attributed it to stress. Despite visiting his GP, a 21-week wait for further testing delayed his diagnosis. By September, the pain became unbearable, leading to an emergency hospital visit, where a CT scan confirmed the worst.

Determined to raise awareness, Lee urges others to take even small symptoms seriously. “I wish I had pushed for more tests earlier,” he said. With a family history of pancreatic cancer, he now advocates for early detection and more research on the disease.

Despite his prognosis, Lee is focused on making memories with his children, recently surprising them with a trip to Lapland. “I want to be there for my kids, even if only in their memories,” he shared.

He calls for greater awareness and support, stressing that pancreatic cancer survival rates have barely improved since the 1970s. “This must change,” he insists, hoping his story encourages others to seek medical help early.

If you need support, contact the American Cancer Society at 1-800-227-2345 or via their 24/7 live chat.