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Help Us Raise Awareness Of Pancreatic Cancer
Practice aims to raise awareness of pancreatic cancer
We have been awarded funding by the Somerset, Wiltshire, Avon and Gloucestershire Cancer Alliance to raise awareness of pancreatic cancer and the need for earlier diagnosis. More than 800 lives are lost to pancreatic cancer each month in the UK and we will be campaigning to make local people more aware of signs and symptoms of this particular cancer.
At the centre of the campaign will be a striking art installation at the practice, which has been commissioned from local artist, Caroline Rudge. Called ‘800 missed steps each month’, the installation will be completed in time for World Pancreatic Cancer Day in November. The details of the piece of art will be revealed over the coming months but the practice needs help from the local community to make the installation happen.
Managing Partner at the practice, Karen Creffield, said, “We’ve an unusual and very particular request to make of the local community to help us with this campaign. We need donations of worn out or ‘past their usefulness’ lace up adult shoes and trainers. We are currently collecting as many pairs as we possibly can, as we ideally need 800 shoes, to represent the 800 people who die from pancreatic cancer each month.”
“If you have shoes and trainers you can donate, please drop them at the practice. We have a box in our main reception area where you can leave them. We will need your donations by 31st July.”
“Volunteers are then needed to help out at the practice on Saturday 1st August, between 9am and midday, when a ‘lace up morning’ will be held and the donated shoes will be threaded with purple ribbon. Come along, have a chat and a cuppa and help us bring this project to life”, added Karen.
If you’d like to come to all or part of the lace up morning, please let us know by registering.
Other work we will be doing to raise awareness of pancreatic cancer includes a town wide awareness campaign, focused on recognising symptoms that patients should be aware of. We will share messages about this in the lead up to World Pancreatic Cancer Day, on social media, patient information screens at the practice and in the news. Education sessions will also take place with staff at the practice and with the wider community.
Symptoms of pancreatic cancer include:
- Persistent upper abdominal or back pain
- Unexplained weight loss
- Changes to your poo
- Persistent indigestion or loss of appetite
- Jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)
A full list of symptoms and further advice and information about pancreatic cancer is available on the Pancreatic Cancer UK website.
Published: Jul 15, 2026