RALPH Woods was in the prime of his life and was about to embark on a caravanning trip around Australia with his wife Dianne when he was struck down by cancer last year.
The Milton Basketball Association member and electronics technician was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer on January 11, 2013 and died 19 weeks later.
Mrs Woods said the diagnosis and severity of the cancer came as a shock for her family.
She said pancreatic cancer was aggressive and patients were often given only weeks or months to live.
While she is still coming to terms with her husband’s death, Mrs Woods has been inspired to lobby for a pancreatic cancer support group in the Milton-Ulladulla area.
She said patients, carers and families would benefit greatly from a service that provided information about the cancer.
“No-one really talks about pancreatic cancer,” she said, “and there’s not a lot of help out there for people.
“I would like to see a local group set up.”
By taking part in the Relay for Life at the Milton showground this year, Mrs Woods hopes to raise funds for the NSW Cancer Council.
She will be walking alongside her friends and family in Ralph and Cindy’s Team and said it would be difficult taking part without her husband by her side.
Last year the couple walked as a survivor and carer, however this year Mrs Woods will walk alone.
“It will be very tough,” she said.
“But Ralph was determined to take part last year and I will walk in his honour this year.”
The relay helps fund experimental drugs, the like of which extended Mr Woods’ life by about two months.
However Mrs Woods said the pancreatic cancer drugs, in the trial phase, were expensive and were beyond the reach of many patients.
“We paid about $1000 per treatment for Abraxane and Ralph had 12 doses,” she said.
“We were lucky because we could afford it, but many people can’t.
“I hope the relay will help raise funds to make these drugs more affordable for everyone.”
Mrs Woods said pancreatic cancer was one of the most dangerous cancers, with many patients living only a few months after diagnosis.
“The cancer is very aggressive, spreading quickly though the body before obvious symptoms appear,” she said.
“Ralph was fit and healthy overall, but had been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, which is a sign.
“When I look back, there were lots of little things – he was tired and a bit cranky – but nothing really obvious.”
She said the couple were about to travel around Australia in their caravan and were looking forward to celebrating Mr Woods’ 60th in October 2013.
“We thought we had plenty of time to enjoy our lives,” she said.
Mrs Woods commended the staff at Milton Hospital, the Milton Community Cancer Clinic and Wollongong Hospital where her husband was treated, saying he was “treated like royalty”.
He was even given the front window seat in the Milton clinic so he could look down into his own backyard.
Family friend Cindy Wheatley is continuing her battle with cancer and will also take part in the relay this year and will be there to support the Woods family.
People can donate online to Ralph and Cindy’s Team via the Milton Relay for Life website.
Teams can also register online via relayforlife.org.au
The 24-hour community event will be held at the showground on March 29 and 30, with more than $15,000 raised so far.
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