My dad was a Celtic legend - now I need help honouring his final wish

The daughter of Celtic and St Mirren legend Frank McGarvey has raised £25,000 for Pancreatic Cancer Action Scotland in an effort to fulfil her dad’s dying wish.

Jenny Kane teamed up with the charity and has been raising awareness of the disease since the 66-year-old's passing on New Years Day last year. McGarvey - who scored 109 goals in his 245 appearances for the Hoops, began experiencing extreme pain in 2022 which saw him visit doctors regularly, who were initially unable to diagnose the cause.

He was suffering from chest pains, loss of appetite and weight loss, was given painkillers and indigestion medication before a CT scan confirmed the presence of the deadly cancer.

Speaking previously to the Daily Record, Jenny admitted: “Dad went to the doctors five or six times in spring 2022 and was misdiagnosed. As a former footballer, he had a high pain threshold, but he was in agony. The doctors were giving him painkillers and indigestion medication which weren't helping.

“It felt like no one was looking at the bigger picture and tracking how much weight he was losing. I had never heard of pancreatic cancer before, but I knew deep down there was something that wasn't right. It took six weeks after his diagnosis before the doctors even started talking to Dad about treatment.

“Pancreatic cancer feels like the forgotten cancer. My Dad died in pain. No-one should have to go through that suffering.”

Pancreatic cancer is the deadliest of all common cancers, with a five-year survival rate of less than 8%. In Scotland alone, more than 900 people are diagnosed with the disease each year, and in the UK, 26 lives are lost to pancreatic cancer every day. With early diagnosis, survival rates improve - but the symptoms are often missed, delaying crucial treatment.

Two years on from Frank’s participation in raising awareness at Glasgow Central station, Jenny has brought the fight to beat the disease to Parkhead and has successfully managed to raise the significant sum for World Pancreatic Cancer Day through the incredible efforts of Frank’s family, friends, and the wider community.

Jenny said: “When my dad was diagnosed, he said to me, ‘Jenny, we need to tell people about this.’ That’s why our family is working with Pancreatic Cancer Action - to make sure others don’t miss the signs like we did. We’re fighting for earlier diagnosis, so no one else has to miss out on a future with their loved ones.”

McGarvey’s son, Sean added: “The £25,000 raised in memory of my dad is such a comfort to our family at this time. The work Pancreatic Cancer Action does is inspirational and reminds me of my dad’s plea at the end, which was to help others who have to face this awful disease. Thank you so much to the charity, and everyone who was involved in the fundraising.”

Joe Kirwin, Chief Executive Officer, Pancreatic Cancer Action, commented: “We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who has contributed to this incredible effort. Your generosity not only honours Frank’s memory but also supports our mission to improve early diagnosis and raise awareness of pancreatic cancer.”