Catherine McCluskie, originally from Blackburn and now living in Liverpool, has been supporting Heartburn Cancer UK through a series of fundraising efforts inspired by the loss of her dad to oesophageal cancer.
Catherine, an Operating Department Practitioner, lost her dad in 2021. He was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer in the February and, despite undergoing surgery, sadly passed away the following October after developing a leak in intensive care and severe pneumonia.
During the Covid pandemic, Catherine travelled to Germany to be by his side, witnessing first-hand the devastating impact of the disease. “Seeing what this cruel disease had done to his body is something I’ll never forget,” she said.
Losing her dad has driven Catherine to raise awareness and support others affected by oesophageal cancer. A keen runner for 39 years, she is now taking on a range of fundraising activities. She started with the Liverpool Half Marathon, which she completed in 2025. Wanting to continue building on this, she is now training for her first marathon in Edinburgh, taking place in May 2026.
Alongside her running, Catherine has also found creative ways to fundraise. Since last summer, she has been making and selling wax melts to friends and family, helping her to consistently contribute to her fundraising total each month.
Her amazing efforts so far have raised over £1,000, with additional donations still to come!
Training for the Edinburgh marathon has been both physically and mentally demanding. “The training is brutal and long and requires a lot of planning,” she explains, balancing injuries with the support of a physio. But despite the challenges, her motivation remains clear and deeply personal.
“My dad’s smile and the sound of his laugh keep me going. I intend to write a message on my arm to read during the race for motivation.”
Catherine has also used her experience to raise awareness among those around her, encouraging people to take symptoms seriously and seek medical advice. She even persuaded her mum to attend a surveillance gastroscopy for her hiatus hernia -thankfully with reassuring results.
Her message to others thinking about fundraising is simple: “Please do it and spread the word. This disease can affect anyone at any age, and it’s brutal.”
Despite the challenges she faces, Catherine continues to channel her grief into action – raising awareness, supporting others, and helping ensure that more people understand the importance of early detection.
We are incredibly grateful for Catherine’s ongoing support and proud to have her as part of the Heartburn Cancer UK community.
