West Lothian woman in urgent TV appeal for Cancer Research UK

Heather Duff has had three surgeries to remove two brain tumours.

A West Lothian woman who has had brain surgery three times will feature in an urgent TV appeal for donations to Cancer Research UK.

Heather Duff, 33, from Winchburgh appears several times in the 30-second clip, and can be seen counting out daily chemotherapy medication, speaking to loved ones online, and recuperating on the sofa with her miniature dachshund pet dogs, Pumpkin and Parsnip.

The video also features a direct plea for support from scientist Richard Gilberston, along with clips of several cancer patients and survivors in lockdown - many of whom are self-isolating or shielding to protect their health.

Heather Duff

The final frame shows Ms Duff looking into the camera and saying: “Together we will still beat cancer.”

She overcame cervical cancer after being diagnosed in 2014, but two years ago was told she had an unrelated brain tumour.

She is now determined to highlight the loss of funding to Cancer Research UK because of the coronavirus lockdown, with fundraising events cancelled and charity shops closed.

She said: “Cervical cancer at 27 was pretty harsh. Losing my fertility, being catapulted in to the menopause and managing the on going side effects has been a challenge too.

“A brain tumour four years later and discovering not one but two tumours was a simple reminder that life sometimes is just not fair.”

Ms Duff woke in May 2018 to find her husband and three paramedics in her bedroom, as she had suffered a seizure triggered by a lesion on her brain.

Four months later she went through a nine hour operation at the Western General to remove the tumour.

After tests revealed a second tumour she had surgery again in December 2018.

“It’s not just a case of putting a brave face on it though. I doubt anyone will walk this earth with no form of heartache,” she said.

“Research to help bring forward the day when all cancers are cured is what gives my family, friends and me the hope we need.

“That’s why it upsets me to think about research being held up by the COVID-19 outbreak and what this might mean for people affected by cancer in the months and years to come. By boosting funding now, we can all help to lessen the future impact on patients, so I’m proud to be part of this important campaign.

“I hope that people across Scotland will be inspired to give what they can.”