UNITED FRONT IN BATTLE AGAINST CANCER

Dundee United Football Club will celebrate the memory of their late Director and lifetime supporter, Derek Robertson, with a day of action to raise awareness of oesophageal cancer.

On Saturday 24th March 2018, almost two years to the day since Derek died from the disease, Dundee United will take on Dunfermline FC at Tannadice with a special day of events and information designed to let supporters know the dangers of persistent heartburn. 

Fans will hear from Dundee University’s oesophageal cancer research champion, Professor Russell Petty, about the risks of ignoring symptoms like regular indigestion and difficulty swallowing. Professor Petty took part in filming at Tannadice alongside some of Derek’s colleagues, remembering his huge contribution to the Club over 13 years.

This day of action has been organised by Derek’s family – his wife, Sheila, and their daughters, Caryn and Lyn – who are determined to ensure that their family’s story helps save lives. 

Caryn said:

“We’d never even heard of oesophageal cancer – we couldn’t even pronounce it! So we all missed the early signs that something was very seriously wrong with Dad. He didn’t meet the cancer ‘stereotype’ of being overweight, a smoker, a drinker. He was young, only 63, and full of life. Unfortunately, he was one of the 80% of people diagnosed with this cancer who find out at an incurable stage. Now we know three people in Scotland are diagnosed every day, we urge anyone reading this who might have trouble swallowing food, or has had persistent heartburn, to please make an appointment with your GP now.

“We are very grateful to Dundee United for supporting us with this awareness campaign, but also for their support through Dad’s short illness and since he passed away. This club was his second family. It was more than just a Football Club to him, and to us. With their influence and support to share our message more widely, we hope we can help someone attending the match on Saturday to recognise the symptoms and get the right medical advice.” 

Kate Cunningham, Campaign Director of OCHRE – the oesophageal cancer charity said:

“The shock of Derek’s loss, and the enormous gap left in the lives of his family and at Dundee United, is sadly all too common.

“Ochre works tirelessly to raise awareness and fund research into oesophageal cancer, which claims the lives of 21 people in the UK every single day.

“We hope that days of action like this one can save lives by spreading the word that persistent heartburn is not normal, can be very harmful and needs to be checked by a doctor. We would ask everyone, football supporters, Dundonians, families and friends alike, to be their own supporter and speak to their doctor if they are experiencing indigestion and heartburn on a regular basis, if they are finding it difficult to swallow, if they experience persistent vomiting, pain or discomfort in their throat, upper tummy, chest or back, or have a persistent cough or hoarseness.

“If it’s found early enough, oesophageal cancer can be cured, but once it has spread it is very difficult to treat.

“Our grateful thanks to everyone at Dundee United and especially to Derek’s wife, Sheila, and his daughters, Caryn and Lyn, for their extraordinary hard work and dedication to making sure other families are spared the pain and sadness they have gone through.”

Joe Rice, Head of Communications for Dundee United said: 

“Derek is hugely missed at the Club and his legacy lives on in many ways. What better way to channel his memory than by raising awareness of this still relatively unknown, aggressive and growing form of cancer amongst both United as well as Dunfermline supporters at his hallowed ground. We’re delighted to support Derek’s family and OCHRE to make the day a big success.”