A dedicated marathon runner and father-of-two has issued a heartfelt warning after discovering that the “minor aches” he once dismissed were actually signs of terminal pancreatic cancer. His message is simple but urgent: listen to your body — even the smallest symptoms matter.

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A Life-Shattering Diagnosis

At 51, Lee Rawlinson, a medical sales representative from Essex, UK, was active, health-conscious, and deeply involved in family life with his wife, Faye, and their children, Darcey (10) and Marley (7).

But on Halloween, everything changed.

Doctors confirmed that Lee had advanced pancreatic cancer — and that it had already spread to his liver. The prognosis was devastating: months to live.

“This will be my last Christmas,” Lee said quietly. “I’m facing the jaws of death. I’m sailing toward it, and I can’t stop it. What scares me isn’t dying — it’s leaving my children and my wife behind.”

Determined not to waste the time he has left, Lee committed to making “magical memories” with his family during what he believes will be their final Christmas together.

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The First Signs: A Dull Ache That Didn’t Go Away

Lee’s symptoms began in January with something many people would easily overlook — a dull ache in his lower abdomen.

He assumed it was stress.

Even after seeing his GP and being referred to a specialist, he faced a 21-week wait for further testing. When initial blood and urine tests came back normal, no follow-up was scheduled.

Months passed.

By September, the discomfort had escalated into unbearable pain.

“I was taking painkillers every day but nothing helped. It felt like someone was slowly pushing a scaffolding pole right through me,” Lee recalled.

A week later, during his son’s football practice, the pain became so intense that he went straight to the emergency room at Southend University Hospital.
A CT scan finally revealed the truth — terminal pancreatic cancer.

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“I Wish I Had Acted Sooner” — Lee’s Warning to Others

Lee now urges everyone — especially adults over 40 — to take unusual symptoms seriously.

“I didn’t think much of it when the dull ache started,” he admitted. “But now I wish I had pushed for more tests. Early diagnosis could make all the difference with this disease.”

He later learned that his grandfather had pancreatic cancer, suggesting a possible inherited risk.

“The consultant told me that sometimes it’s just your destiny,” Lee said.
“But if my story can save someone else, then it’s worth sharing.”

His message is clear:

✅ Don’t ignore persistent pain
✅ Don’t dismiss changes in your body
✅ Don’t be afraid to ask for further testing

“It might seem small, but it could save your life,” he said.

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Making Memories While There’s Still Time

With time running short, Lee is pouring his energy into creating unforgettable moments for the people he loves the most.

He recently surprised his children with a dream trip to Lapland, wanting them to have joyful memories to hold onto.

“I want to be there for my kids, even if it’s only in their memories,” he said.

At the same time, he advocates for more research and attention toward pancreatic cancer — one of the deadliest cancers with almost no improvement in survival rates since the 1970s.

“This has to change,” Lee said. “Too many families are being torn apart.”

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A Final Message of Urgency and Hope

Lee continues to live each day with honesty, courage, and love — using his story to shine a light on a disease that often goes unnoticed until it’s too late.

If you experience unexplained pain or symptoms that don’t feel right, don’t brush them off.
Don’t wait.
Don’t assume it’s nothing.

Early detection saves lives.