Why I wanted to turn Glasgow Central station clock purple today

Lesley Irving had no idea her active mum’s back pain was cancer and is now determined to save others.

She lost her mother Pauline Irving, 72, to pancreatic cancer during the pandemic leaving her family heartbroken.

The 45-year-old, from Lenzie, doesn’t want anyone to go through what her family has so committed to raising funds and awareness of the illness.

Today she is marking World Pancreatic Cancer Day by encouraging iconic landmarks to turn purple, including the clock at Glasgow Central.

Pauline Irving was loving and caring (Image: Sourced)

Pancreatic cancer action charity event at Glasgow Central station. Pictured are the Rock Choir. (Image: Colin Mearns)

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Lesley explained: “My mum was really healthy and fit, she had a good healthy active lifestyle. When we found out her back pain was actually cancer it was a real shock.

“We thought she was going to get better, but it all happened so fast and we lost her.

“I never want anyone to go through what our family did, I want to raise awareness of the signs and conditions.

“Now we have turned the clock in central purple to get people’s attention, thousands of people come through here everyday so I hope it makes a difference.

“We have a choir, a piper, and singers, all trying to educate people about the condition.”

The clock turns purple in awareness of pancreatic cancer (Image: Sourced)

Pauline with family (Image: Sourced)

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Pancreatic cancer is an illness that's found anywhere in the organ, which sits in the top part of your stomach.

How serious pancreatic cancer is depends on where it is in the pancreas, how big it is, if it has spread and your general health.

Surviving the brutal condition relies on an early diagnosis which is difficult because it often doesn't cause symptoms in the early stages, and symptoms may come and go to begin with.

Pauline had been feeling healthy in 2019 and was looking forward to three holidays she had booked with her husband, David Irving.

READ MORE: My mental health was low after diagnosis with brutal condition

Pictured is piper Callum Kirk, Pipe Major with Kirkintilloch pipe band who performed at the event. (Image: Colin Mearns)

A choir helped raise awarness at Glasgow Central (Image: Sourced)

However, at around Christmas time she noticed pain in her back but her family didn’t think it would be devastating news.

Trips to the GP and hospital then revealed she only had months to live, and shortly after this her chemotherapy treatment was cancelled because of the pandemic.

The beloved mum was taken to an Ayrshire hospice to be made as comfortable as possible but was only allowed one visitor a day, her son Calum Irving.

It meant Lesley had to say her final goodbyes through a window leaving her heartbroken and devastated.

Now she is paying tribute to her mum, who she described as caring and loving, by helping others.

Lesley is pictured, 3rd from right with staff and volunteers from the charity, from left- Eileen Campbell, Kirsty Rutherford, Debbie Rutherford, Lesley, Heather Archbold and Alison Clancy. (Image: Colin Mearns)

Lesley said: “My mum was genuinely the kindest person ever, I know everyone says that about their parents but it is really true.

“She was just so loving and caring, she always wanted to help other people.

“I want to continue that by taking part in raising funds and awareness because it is what she would have done.

“It is how I cope with losing her and not being able to say goodbye properly. That is why I do this, it is all for her.”

Lesley wants to thank everyone who took part in the World Pancreatic Cancer Day at Glasgow Central including Jen Bonnar’s rock choir, piper Callum Kirk, KC community choir led by Kate Cameron, singer Mar Charav, and Sticks n Kicks pipe band.

Symptoms of pancreatic cancer can include:

1. The whites of your eyes or your skin turn yellow (jaundice), 
2. Have itchy skin, darker pee and paler poo than usual
3. Loss of appetite or losing weight without trying to
4. Feeling tired or having no energy
5. High temperature, or feeling hot or shivery

Other symptoms can affect your digestion, such as:

• Feeling or being sick
• Diarrhoea or constipation, or other changes in your poo
• Pain at the top part of your tummy and your back

You might find you get used to them. But it's important to be checked by a GP if your symptoms change, get worse or do not feel normal for you.