Chelmsford resident, Sadie Eade, is taking on the 2025 TCS London Marathon in memory of her mum, Tina, who died from pancreatic cancer earlier this year, aged 55. There was hope she was diagnosed early enough for surgery; however, surgeons uncovered the disease had spread during the operation and they had to cancel. The money Sadie raises in honour of Tina will help to fund vital early detection research, with the aim to put a game-changing diagnostic test in the hands of doctors.
Pancreatic cancer is the deadliest common cancer: more than half of people die within three months of diagnosis. Currently, no screening programmes or early detection tests exist to help doctors diagnose pancreatic cancer and its vague symptoms – such as back pain, unexpected weight loss and indigestion – are also common to many less serious conditions. Tragically, as a result, 80% of people are not diagnosed until their cancer is at an advanced stage meaning that it is too late for them to have lifesaving surgery. By 2027 pancreatic cancer is projected to overtake breast cancer and become the fourth biggest cancer killer in the UK.
On Sunday 27th of April 2025, Sadie will run 26.2 grueling miles for the TCS London Marathon Charity of the Year, Pancreatic Cancer UK. She will be one of over 700 runners taking on the ultimate test of endurance to help deliver the ultimate test. The money raised will go towards vital research to develop the first-ever early detection test for pancreatic cancer. Such a breakthrough would be a game-changer for the disease, giving thousands more people the chance to have lifesaving treatment and allowing others more precious time with their loved ones. The charity is aiming to raise £2M to help change the story for the 10,500 people diagnosed with pancreatic cancer each year across the UK.
During August 2023, Tina had been experiencing bouts of indigestion and stomach pain. Soon after, her family noticed her eyes were yellow and she went to her GP. She was told to go to A&E for further investigations straight away. As a language student, Sadie was just preparing for her year abroad in France when she was told it was highly likely her mum had pancreatic cancer.
Sadie, 21 said: “I didn’t really want to go after the news, but mum wanted me to finish my degree – she was my biggest supporter. The journey there was awful, I was in tears for a lot of it, but my dad and sister did their best to cheer me up.”
Once her diagnosis was confirmed, Tina began chemotherapy a few weeks later. The regime was tough on her body and landed her in hospital over Christmas 2023, but she persisted. In January 2024, the family were told the tumour had shrunk enough for her to have surgery and she was wheeled down for the operation at the end of the month. Sadie had just moved to Spain and was on FaceTime with her dad when he received a call not long after Tina went in.
Sadie said: “Naively, I hadn’t been that concerned but when dad put me on hold, alarm bells began to sound. Mum was meant to be in the theatre for at least a couple more hours. As soon as dad ended his call with the surgeon, I just heard him break down sobbing uncontrollably. He couldn’t get his words out. I watched my dad’s heart break in real time. It was awful.”
The surgeon had uncovered that the disease had already spread to other organs, meaning they had to terminate Tina’s operation, and all her care would now be palliative.
Sadie said: “On paper, my mum was the perfect candidate: an active dance teacher who was healthy, in her early 50s and responded well to chemo. We were told it had been caught early – it leaves me wondering how anyone can be expected to survive when we have so few options for people with this disease.”
With chemotherapy, Tina survived another year, making it to her “55 and still alive” birthday celebration on the 11th of January 2025 where she spent her time dancing and reminiscing. Just a few weeks later, she passed away with her family by her side.
Sadie said: “We had no idea that a common cancer would have such low survival – it’s shocking. I applied for the marathon because I want people to understand that so few get to live after a diagnosis. My mum was still with us when I applied, and she was over the moon when I got a place. Although not physically, I know that she’ll be with me on the day, 100%. She’ll get me through when I’m struggling.
“The only way to increase survival is with more research, and that comes at a cost. We must be able to give people diagnosed with pancreatic cancer something better than hope. If they Google the symptoms and the statistics now…it’s a really hard pill to swallow. If we can get a test that does catch it early, giving people the chance to have surgery, receiving a diagnosis won’t feel as much like a death sentence.”
Despite the disease’s appallingly low survival, pancreatic cancer receives just three per cent of the annual UK cancer research budget. In stark contrast to other cancers, where significant progress has been made to improve survival rates, decades of underfunding have meant that pancreatic cancer survival hasn’t improved since the 1970s. Sadly, less than seven per cent of those diagnosed with the deadliest common cancer in the UK survive beyond five years.
In addition to raising desperately needed funds for more research, the charity hopes its TCS London Marathon campaign ‘The Ultimate Test’, will raise the profile of pancreatic cancer. Public awareness of the disease’s symptoms remains worryingly low. Pancreatic Cancer UK recommend that anyone experiencing one or more of the most common symptoms – back pain, indigestion, tummy pain and weight-loss – for more than four weeks should contact their GP. Anyone with jaundice (yellowing of the eyes or skin) should immediately go to A&E.
To support Sadie visit: https://2025tcslondonmarathon.enthuse.com/pf/sadie-eade
Diana Jupp, CEO at Pancreatic Cancer UK said: “The magnitude of this opportunity cannot be overstated. The 2025 TCS London Marathon is going to be one of the most significant days for pancreatic cancer ever and we are so, so proud of everyone running for Pancreatic Cancer UK.
“For 50 years, pancreatic cancer has been overlooked, underfunded, and left behind. Families are often left with only hope to hold on to, but they deserve more than hope. By taking on the ultimate test, our runners will help deliver the ultimate test and make early detection a reality for this devastating disease. Together we will give more than hope to everyone affected by the deadliest common cancer.”
