Derry family raise £25,000 in memory of dad who died after pancreatic cancer diagnosis

A Derry family has raised £25,000 in memory of their dad who died after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

Father of six, James Anthony Doherty, known as Jim, was a beloved husband and grandfather.

Jim’s daughter, Geraldine O’Connor, said her father began feeling unwell and having symptoms around mid-April 2023. Following numerous visits to the GP and several preliminary tests, nothing untoward was discovered. However, a few months later, further invasive tests revealed pancreatic cancer.

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Geraldine said: "As a family, we did not want our Daddy to go to the Hospice; we wanted him home. However, his case was complicated and he had two drivers to be managed. Daddy himself did not want to be a burden on his family, and he made the decision to receive end-of-life care at the Foyle Hospice. We were devastated but respected his wish.

“However, we have had no regrets as the Foyle Hospice family greeted and cared for him so lovingly and respectfully during his time there.”

The Doherty family raised £25,000 after taking on various fundraisers in aid of Foyle Hospice. Jim's family took on the challenge of organising a fundraising campaign to 'repay the exceptional care' which their father received as an inpatient.

Geraldine explained that the family was 'absolutely amazed at the cost of care' and felt 'it was necessary to give something back' to their local hospice, which offers its services free of charge.

She said: “When Daddy entered the Foyle Hospice, he was met with kindness and compassion. We were asked to complete a pastoral document about Daddy as a person, including his likes, dislikes, and holistic needs in general. This helped staff gain a deeper insight into Daddy – he was not just a patient, he was an individual, and his every need was catered for during his stay.

“The care provided at the Hospice is unparalleled. The respectful, nurturing and loving environment is palpable the moment you enter the ward.”

Geraldine added: “During an overnight stay, I couldn’t sleep, so I was walking down the ward corridor when I found the Annual Report on display. I was absolutely amazed at the costs of inpatient care. I was also shocked at how little government funding was allocated and, consequently, the Hospice’s need to fundraise to meet costs. When Daddy’s time at the Foyle Hospice ended, we estimated that his three months of care would have cost approximately £80k.

“My brother Ciaran led the fundraising campaign – he ran the Great North Run in Newcastle and then the Foyle Hospice Half Marathon in Derry with our sister Noela, niece, Gemma and brother-in-law, John. Ciaran then organised a Rickety Wheel Fundraiser at An Chroi Community Hub in June 2024. We asked for donations in lieu of flowers at Daddy’s funeral. We were very blessed to have so many work colleagues, friends and extended family support our campaign, as well as the significant family donations.

"We were delighted to have raised £25k and are so thankful for every donation or kind word of encouragement.

"We know it will never meet the costs of his care or more importantly, the love and listening ear he received every day as a member of the Foyle Hospice family.”

Jim spent most of his working life in Du Pont as a production operator, retiring at 52 to help raise his 14 grandchildren.

Geraldine said: “He played a lot of sports including, football, swimming, and in later years, outdoor and indoor bowls. He loved dancing and Saturday nights at the Du Pont Club with Mammy and his friends Pat and Ann Marie. Daddy’s great love was fishing. He enjoyed endless days in the rain or sun, fishing in the River Faughan, Ards and Glen Finn Valley.”

Geraldine also recalled precious memories of time spent with her father at the hospice saying: “We picked apples to feed the donkeys during his first outing on the grounds. We also remember how he was groomed to perfection daily and how the staff remarked that he was such a handsome man, ‘just like Sting.’ We also reminisce over the trip to Ned’s Point, where he and Mammy got engaged. He couldn’t wait to return, armed with Free State chocolate, and Tayto cheese and onion crisps for the staff.

“Daddy also had a beautiful family Mass, all kindly facilitated by staff and Fr Mc Faul. Finally, we celebrated Mammy’s 80th birthday on 27th December 2024. It was a bitter-sweet occasion and the last time we were together as a family, grandchildren included, before he died on 16th January 2024. Right up to the end, he worried more about us than himself. It was beautiful hearing him sing to Mammy on this occasion, even as his voice failed.”

She continued: “In the weeks before Daddy died, we had bird feeders outside his room. Before his passing, birds of every colour gathered, and a squirrel ran past his room. As his wee body lay in repose, a robin entered the room and hopped around his bed. Then, the snow fell, and God claimed him for his own. It was as if nature had called him home.”

Geraldine went on to express the family’s gratitude to the hospice staff, saying: “The support shown to us was exceptional. No request was ever too much. In fact, the support received exceeded all our expectations. It felt like our home, too.

“When Daddy passed, we felt bereft and missed him and our Foyle Hospice family so much. Since then, when we occasionally meet staff, they always stop and share a kindly word and fond memory of our beautiful Daddy Jim.”

Geraldine added: “Finally, I would say to anyone who finds themselves in a situation where they have to make a decision regarding hospice care, take hope from our story. In the darkest of times, you will find all the love, support, and strength that you and your loved one need to make it through. As one hospice nurse said to Daddy, ‘day by day,’ ‘hour by hour,’ and if that is still too much, ‘minute by minute.’

“The compassion, dignity, and respect afforded to Daddy and our family at Foyle Hospice will remain with us forever.”

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