My name is Gary Carson and I currently serve as Secretary on the NI Pancreatic Cancer (NIPANC) Board. I have one son, Edward, who is married to Anna, and two darling little grand-children, Ella (6) and Ted (3).

I have 46 years’ experience in the NI Civil Service and since 2001 have been working as the Health and Safety Manager in the Driver and Vehicle Agency.

At the beginning of 2014 I had just turned 51 and was, I suspect like many at that age, hoping to embrace what middle age had to offer and certainly enjoying quality time with my wife, Sandra. However, those aspirations ended abruptly within a matter of just a few months. Out of the blue Sandra began to complain of pains in her upper abdomen and in her back and was sick on several occasions. After numerous medical appointments she was finally admitted to hospital via A&E at the Ulster Hospital, Belfast on the 20th of July 2014 and the following afternoon, after a CT scan, was diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer. Sandra sadly passed away just one month later on the 20th of August 2014. My life would simply never be the same again.

Unfortunately, back then I really had little or no knowledge of the functions of this vital organ within the body, the symptoms relating to pancreatic cancer or indeed of the survival rates of those facing diagnosis. Tragically though I was soon to learn that my story was all too typical in the world of pancreatic cancer after being introduced to a local Pancreatic Cancer Support group who held monthly meetings at the Mater Hospital, Belfast. I not only learned about this awful condition but thankfully found friendship and support as I spent time with others who had sadly walked a similar journey while also having the opportunity to listen to medical professionals seeking to treat patients diagnosed with this form of cancer.

That small Support Group was to develop into the charity NIPANC and I am delighted to be able to contribute in some small way in helping it achieve its three core objectives: raising awareness of the symptoms of pancreatic cancer, fundraising for ongoing research and supporting those impacted by this disease. 

I recorded my own experience of grief in a book entitled “Thank God we met Sandy” and, quite remarkably, this was launched at an event in the Mater Hospital on 26th June 2019, my son’s 6th Wedding Anniversary. 

On a final personal note, I got engaged to Tania on 24th February 2024 as I seek to “live on” ...which is what Sandra had wanted me to do.