Pancreatic Cancer is caused by the abnormal and uncontrolled growth of cells in the pancreas.
Cancers of the pancreas are divided into groups according to the type of cell that the cancer has started from.
The most common cancers (80-90%) start from the cells in the inner lining of the pancreatic ducts, however there are several more types from other areas.
Elspeth has been the Senior Clinical Nurse Specialist for the Upper GI Cancer Service based at the Royal Infirmary in Glasgow since 2002.
She has extensive experience supporting individuals with pancreatic cancer and their carers providing advice and guidance and providing clinical leadership to other health care professionals. She was also instrumental in developing the nurse-led clinic at the Royal Infirmary, with the focus on symptom management and improving quality of life for individuals with pancreatic and associated cancers.
Elspeth has been involved with PCS since the early stages of its development and now provides an advisory role contributing to the development of clinical information materials. She is encouraged by recent research developments that will ensure individuals affected by pancreatic cancer have access to earlier diagnosis, an improved treatment choice, and improved survival odds.
Eileen’s husband sadly died of pancreatic cancer in 2014. Having cared for her husband during his illness, both she and her family have had first-hand experience of the impact of this devastating cancer.
She later joined Pancreatic Cancer Scotland in October 2015, having previously worked in local government and then latterly in a leading charity for the elderly Age UK; experience which gave her the opportunity to establish her organising, campaigning, and social skills.
Eileen is delighted to have the privilege of working with the dedicated team of professionals at Pancreatic Cancer Scotland to raise awareness, further research, improve patient care and support families.
Mr. Frank Buckley was a Director of a public limited company prior to moving to the Highlands in 1988, where he established two companies related to the holiday industry. He is now the managing director of Highland Holidays, renting holiday cottages in Wester Ross for over 25 years. He is also the managing director of Property Care, a property management company, managing and marketing other properties in the area.
Frank is a keen environmentalist, serving on Wester Ross Area Salmon Fishery Board, and is also involved in local and national politics. He is currently Vice-Convenor on the Liberal Democrat executive committee for Ross, Skye and Lochaber.
After discovering the comparatively low amount of funding into the research of pancreatic cancer, he decided to use his experience, which has included fundraising for a number of projects, to help raise the profile and hopefully assist in raising more funding for pancreatic cancer research.
Professor Clem Imrie enjoyed the opportunities and responsibilities of the post of consultant surgeon at Glasgow Royal Infirmary from 1977 to 2007. During a busy clinical workload he published over 150 papers on pancreatic disease, edited five books, wrote chapters in major textbooks, and lectured in many UK and international locations.
He was Secretary and then President of the Great Britain & Ireland Pancreatic Society, and also became President of the European Pancreatic Club in 1989, before assuming the Presidency of The International Association of Pancreatology (1994-96).
The University of Glasgow awarded Honorary Professor status to him in 1996. Although now retired from clinical practice, he continues to review papers and to deliver some lectures on the important relationship between inflammation and cancer outcomes.
Alison Clancy is a qualified teacher with experience in early years, primary and additional support education. She is a mother of 3 girls and was happily married to husband Tommy for 19 years when he received his cancer diagnosis in 2014. Just 4 months later, Tommy died, devastating Alison and her family.
Since then, Alison has been actively involved as a volunteer with Pancreatic Cancer Scotland. Through their time of grief and loss, the family pulled together to raise awareness and much needed funds to improve early diagnosis, supporting the work of the charity.
Alison became a Trustee for the charity in 2016 and has since helped to grow and develop PCS. It has always been at the forefront of Alison’s mind to create a support network for PC patients and their families, something she wishes she had available to her and her family during their journey.
Having already worked with Mr. Ross Carter through the West of Scotland Cancer Network (WoSCAN), Lorraine was delighted to join PCS in March 2011. Her work is in the NHS’s administration of Managed Clinical Networks for Cancer and the National Cancer Quality Programme. Within her role, Lorraine provides support for the Scottish network for pancreatic cancer and is therefore able to provide PCS with the most current insight and experience of pancreatic cancer care.
As a Trustee of PCS, Lorraine is responsible for all of the financial aspects of the charity. She believes it is a real honour to work to improve the care for this devastating cancer.
Following his diagnosis of pancreatic cancer in August 2005 Graham was operated on in the Pancreatic Unit at Glasgow Royal Infirmary. Mr. Ross Carter was one of his surgeons, and five years later in 2010, survivor Graham was alongside Mr. Carter as a co-founder of Pancreatic Cancer Scotland.
As a PCS trustee Graham led on the legal framework of the charity and has chaired the Steering Committee since its inception. He has also been an active fundraiser, running several major “Arran View” golf tournaments, and is extremely proud of all the charity has been able to achieve so far.
Mr. Ross Carter is a pancreatic surgeon based in the West of Scotland Pancreatic Unit in Glasgow Royal Infirmary. He is both former Honorary Secretary of the Pancreatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland and former Pancreatic Section of the British Society of Gastroenterology.
Aware of the advances in care and outcomes being driven through charities focused on many cancers, but with a clear absence of a UK pancreatic cancer charity, he became involved in the third sector during the formative years of PCRF, PCUK, and PCA; all based in the South East England.
With key differences between the National Health Service in England & Wales and that in Scotland, Mr. Carter recognised the need for a further pancreatic cancer charity; one focusing on the Scottish perspective. This charity could then implement core objective of raising awareness, advancing research, and improving healthcare standards for patients and carers, in the most effective way for Scotland; whilst working with sister charities on UK-wide projects.
To achieve this vision, along with co-founders Pamela Sinclair, Fred Carenduff, Graham Carson, Elspeth Cowan, Anne Ventisei, and Sarah Beveridge, Mr. Carter launched Pancreatic Cancer Scotland as a Registered Scottish Charity (No SC041740) on 12th November 2010.
Taking up the role of Pancreatic Cancer Clinical Nurse Specialist in August 2018, Kimberly is excited to work with PCS and be part of the Precision-Panc study. PCS have provided the funding for Kimberley’s role as part of the ongoing partnership with NHS GGC.
She brings with her valuable experience of Oncology from working within a Chemotherapy Day Unit, and she is passionate about improving the experience of both patients and carers when they are at their most vulnerable. Kimberley has also completed Systemic Anti-Cancer Therapy training, and in her previous role, administered and educated patients about their treatments and associated side effects.
Her new role involves providing advice, support and guidance to patients and their families affected by pancreatic cancer. A large part of this is signposting individuals to appropriate support services and guiding them through a complex pathway. This is key in facilitating holistic treatment throughout a patient’s journey.
PCS have provided the funding for Kimberley’s post – see the press release below relating to the partnership with NHS GGC.
Mairi studied Law at Dundee University, graduating in 1997 and going on to complete her Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice there one year later. She worked for the Scottish Government as a Legal Examiner for 9 years, before taking some time out to start and raise her family to school age.
During this time away from the workplace her interest in the charity sector was piqued, and on her return to work she began working with a charity that supported persons suffering fertility issues. When the position with PCS was advertised, Mairi relished the opportunity to be involved in a uniquely Scottish charity that helps raise awareness and support people affected by such a little known and less survivable cancer.
She volunteers with Scottish Women’s Aid in her spare time and is a mum to four young children who keep her very busy with karate, football, Irish dancing, and aerial yoga!
Dionne studied public relations and media at Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh. It was here that she realised she wanted to work within the charity sector. She began by volunteering with The Stroke Association, and before graduating she had secured her first job with Aberlour Children’s Charity.
Since then Dionne has never looked back, going on to work with both The Kiltwalk and Marie Curie. When the position with PCS came up, like many people, she was not very familiar with Pancreatic Cancer. After reading up on the disease in more detail, and the work of PCS, she jumped at the chance to join the team.
Originally from Edinburgh, Dionne now lives in Glasgow with her husband and their Jack Russell, Baylee.
Fiona lost her mum to pancreatic cancer in 2003 and, with no pancreatic cancer charities in existence at that time, channelled her energy into fundraising and volunteering for Marie Curie in memory of her mum. In early 2014, Fiona became involved in raising awareness of pancreatic cancer and subsequently joined the steering committee of Pancreatic Cancer Scotland in August 2014.
Sadly, Fiona’s family experienced the impact of pancreatic cancer again, with the loss of a second family member to the disease in October 2014. Fiona’s voluntary work with Pancreatic Cancer Scotland included actively leading the charity’s first media campaign for November 2016’s pancreatic cancer awareness month.
After a 15-year career as an accountant, Fiona changed career paths to become Development Manager for PCS in March 2017. Fiona feels honoured to have the opportunity to partner her business skills and experience with her passion for working to change the pancreatic cancer story. Having met so many people that have been affected by this cruel disease, including survivors, she wants to share hope with people. Fiona believes it is now time for the pancreatic cancer story and statistics to improve, and that by working with others “together, we can make a difference”.
