Ivan McMinn, Chairperson of NIPANC, has been recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours and awarded an MBE for services to charity and the community in Northern Ireland.
Ivan said last night “I was totally shocked when I received the notification of my award but am both honoured and humbled to accept it.
As someone who realises every single day how fortunate I am to have survived Pancreatic Cancer, it is such a pleasure to be able to use my time to help various charities and good causes in whatever way I can.
As Chairperson of NIPANC it is a privilege to be working alongside incredibly dedicated individuals all of whom have been personally impacted by Pancreatic Cancer. However, as a team we all strive towards the same aims which are:
Increasing public understanding of this cancer
Promoting awareness of the cancer’s signs and symptoms by both medical professionals and members of the public
Funding vital research
Supporting patients and their families
We are making real progress with each of these aims and in the next few weeks will be making a big announcement - so watch this space”
Ivan was initially diagnosed with pancreatic cancer 9 years ago and is one of those fortunate to survive this all-too-often silent but deadly disease which claims the lives of more than 200 people each year in Northern Ireland. As he told the Irish News last year "One per cent of people with pancreatic cancer survive for 10 years and five per cent for five years, so I am somewhere in between. But, whatever, I am definitely the fortunate guy. The statistics make for grim reading; there is really only one way they can go – and that is up. I am passionate about research into cancer, particularly pancreatic cancer where the survival rates haven't improved in 40 years. Research is making a real difference to lives and I am testimony to that."
If you would like to donate to NIPANC to help us raise funds for vital research into pancreatic cancer click here. If you are interested in fundraising you can register here or send an email to fundraising@nipanc.org - alternatively call 07341564924.
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