**Family’s Christmas Concern Leads to Dad’s Early Cancer Diagnosis**
An Edinburgh father has credited his family’s keen observations during the festive season with helping catch his cancer early—potentially saving his life. Jim Delaney, a 66-year-old father of two, found himself facing a sudden and alarming loss of appetite during what should have been one of the year’s happiest occasions: Christmas dinner. While for most, this meal is something to look forward to, for Jim, it became a pivotal moment in his health journey.
Jim’s adult children, Emer and Kealan, aged 27 and 31, became increasingly worried as Christmas approached. They noticed their usually energetic father appearing fatigued, and dropping weight with no apparent explanation. However, it was their dad’s struggle to manage even a few bites of his favourite Christmas meal that truly raised red flags. Up until that point, Jim had been quietly dealing with nagging back pain and tiredness, but this sudden loss of appetite was out of character and could not be ignored by his family.
Reflecting on the events, daughter Emer explained, “We’d seen changes—he was losing weight and was far more tired than usual—but it was the Christmas dinner moment, and increasing back pain, that made us know we needed to push him to see his doctor.” The concern and persistence of Emer and Kealan soon prompted Jim to make an appointment with his GP just after the holidays.
Following a series of blood tests and medical assessments in early 2020, Jim received the life-changing news: he had myeloma. This form of blood cancer, developing in the bone marrow, is the third most common type in the UK, yet it is often overlooked due to its subtle symptoms, which can easily be mistaken for the normal effects of ageing or less serious conditions. At the time of diagnosis, Jim’s cancer was already quite advanced—something that stunned even his medical team, as he’d continued staying active, including going out for walks.
Despite the seriousness of his illness, Jim faced his diagnosis with remarkable stoicism. He went through several rounds of chemotherapy, followed by a stem cell transplant. Although the disease returned last year, Jim underwent a second transplant and further treatment, and is currently in a stable condition. Emer shared, “He’s back at work now and doing amazingly given everything he has been through.”
The family’s ordeal brought them into contact with Myeloma UK, a charity supporting patients and families. Grateful for the information and emotional support they received, Emer decided to give back by participating in the Edinburgh Half Marathon to raise much-needed funds for Myeloma UK. “Information online was confusing and overwhelming at first, but Myeloma UK’s resources helped us make sense of everything after dad’s diagnosis,” Emer said.
Not satisfied with only running the half marathon, Emer has now stepped up to the challenge of a full marathon, motivated by the hope that fundraising could spur research into further treatment options, not just for her father, but for thousands of others in the UK battling myeloma. Her brother Kealan has joined her effort by signing up for the half marathon, with the pair aiming to raise £1,500 for the cause. Kealan commented, “Running isn’t just about finishing the race—it’s about standing with my dad, showing support for everyone going through this fight, and helping fund research for better treatments.”
As they train for the event, Emer and Kealan regularly reflect on their father’s resilience during the tough periods of treatment. “If he can get through all that with a smile, I know I can get through a marathon for him,” Emer said, underscoring the deep family bond and mutual inspiration they share.
Myeloma affects over 33,000 people in the UK and, while currently incurable, is treatable in many cases. Jim’s story is a stark reminder of the importance of noticing persistent, unexplained symptoms and seeking medical advice—even during busy and festive times. The Delaney family’s journey also highlights how the support networks and charities like Myeloma UK play a vital role in helping people cope with and understand complex health diagnoses.
Emer summed up the family’s spirit: “We’re lucky to have each other and good friends around. It’s our hope that, with continued research and fundraising, families like ours will always have hope for more treatment options and better outcomes in the future.”
To support the Delaneys’ marathon fundraising in aid of Myeloma UK, donations can be made via their JustGiving page.