A marathon runner diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer has urged people not to ignore even small symptoms after experiencing what he initially thought were minor health issues. The shocking diagnosis has changed his life, pushing him to raise awareness about this deadly disease.

A Shocking Diagnosis: Terminal Pancreatic Cancer
Lee Rawlinson, 51, a medical sales representative and passionate marathon runner, lives in Essex, UK, with his wife, Faye, and their two children, Darcey, 10, and Marley, seven. On Halloween, Lee received the devastating news of his pancreatic cancer diagnosis. Medics revealed the disease had already spread to his liver, leaving him with just months to live.

Despite the grim prognosis, Lee focused on making “magical memories” with his family during what he called his “last Christmas.” The dad-of-two has since shared his story to raise awareness of the disease, hoping to help others avoid a similar fate.
“This will be my last Christmas,” Lee said. “I’m facing the jaws of death. I’m sailing toward it, and I can’t do anything about it. But my fear isn’t death itself; it’s leaving my children and my wife behind.”
The Early Symptoms of Pancreatic Cancer
Lee’s journey began in January when he noticed a dull ache in his lower abdomen. At the time, he dismissed it as stress-related discomfort. Even after visiting his GP and being referred to a gastroenterologist, he faced a 21-week wait for further testing. His initial blood and urine tests came back clear, which led to no immediate follow-up.