Olivia and her family sadly lost their Dad Donal to Oesophageal Cancer in August 2018.

In honour of Donal’s 4th anniversary, the family chose to join our inaugural Remember in September campaign. Together as a family, Olivia and her mother Eileen, her brothers Denis & Gavin, Donal’s daughters-in-law Amelia, Rosie & Tracy, son-in-law Ger and his 7 beloved grandchildren completed their Marathon in a Month Challenge ‘Do It For Donal!’ in loving memory of Donal and his brother Eddie who had more recently passed from the same cancer, in September 2022.

Donal first started experiencing symptoms in 2017, when he found himself having difficulty eating and was choking on food. Following investigation with an OGD, he was diagnosed with Stage 3 Oesophageal Cancer.

“Dad fought bravely for 9 months post his initial diagnosis in November 2017.” explained Olivia. “He underwent chemotherapy, radiotherapy and finally surgery but unfortunately he lost his battle in August 2018 at home, surrounded by his loving family.”

The support and care that was provided by Donal’s medical team was of significant importance to his family: “We could not have taken Dad home without the assistance of his GP, the PHN and the palliative care team of Dr Mags Clifford, in Kerry. We will be forever grateful for the 12 days we had Dad at home before he passed away. It was his wish to die at home and we were grateful we could grant it for him.”

Thank you to the Tucker family for joining us to ‘Do It For Donal!’ to raise vital funds for Oesophageal Cancer research and for generously sharing your experience with us.