A Father’s Final Wish: Raising Awareness for Pancreatic Cancer

Lee Rawlison, a 51-year-old father of two, never imagined that his life would take a devastating turn. A dedicated marathon runner and a seemingly healthy man, he had no reason to suspect that his mild abdominal pain was a sign of something much worse. By the time he received his diagnosis, doctors told him he had only months to live. Now, as he faces the reality of terminal pancreatic cancer, his mission is to create memories with his family and raise awareness about this deadly disease.

A Silent Killer: The Unexpected Diagnosis

At first, Rawlison dismissed his abdominal discomfort as a minor issue, possibly stress-related. His urine and blood tests came back normal in early 2024, and he continued with his life as usual. However, as the months passed, the pain intensified. By September, it became unbearable.

“If you can imagine a scaffolding pole being slowly pushed through you, right through to your back, that’s what it felt like,” Rawlison described.

On October 31, after undergoing a CT scan, he was given the shocking diagnosis—terminal pancreatic cancer. Doctors explained that there was nothing he could have done to prevent it. His grandfather had also suffered from pancreatic cancer, suggesting a genetic link. Unfortunately, the cancer had already spread to his liver, making it inoperable.

Despite the devastating news, Rawlison chose to spend Halloween night trick-or-treating with his children, Darcey (10) and Marley (7). The next day, he and his wife sat them down to explain the heartbreaking reality. Since then, the family has focused on cherishing every moment together.

Understanding Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest forms of cancer, with over half of patients dying within three months of diagnosis. According to Pancreatic Cancer UK, the survival rate has barely improved in decades, primarily because symptoms often go unnoticed until the disease has reached an advanced stage.

Some common symptoms of pancreatic cancer include:
✔ Unexplained weight loss and poor appetite
✔ Persistent pain in the abdomen or back
✔ Fatigue and weakness
✔ Nausea and vomiting
✔ Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)
✔ Blood clots (deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism)
✔ Sudden-onset diabetes

Because early detection is rare, many patients—like Rawlison—only receive a diagnosis when it is already too late for treatment.

Making Every Moment Count

Knowing that his time is limited, Rawlison has committed himself to creating lasting memories with his family. In December, he made his children's dreams come true with a magical trip to Lapland, where they saw snow for the first time. They also attended an Arsenal football match as VIP guests, an experience Rawlison described as unforgettable.

“This will be my last Christmas,” he said in an emotional interview. “I fear leaving my children and my wife behind—not being able to be there when they need me, not watching them grow, not being able to comfort them when they cry… But I want them to remember that their daddy could do anything. And I want them to grow up in a world where they can do anything.”

A Mission for Awareness

Beyond creating memories, Rawlison is determined to raise awareness about pancreatic cancer. He wants people to recognize the symptoms and seek medical attention early, especially if they have a family history of the disease.

“Survival rates for pancreatic cancer have barely improved since the 1970s, and that has to change,” he said. “I want people to sit up and ask, ‘What can we do to stop this disease from destroying another young family’s life?’”

Though he knows his time is running out, Rawlison’s legacy will live on—not only in the hearts of his family but in his efforts to shine a light on this silent killer. His story is a reminder that life is precious, and every moment spent with loved ones should be cherished.