A Hull man is raising crucial funds for a hospital department that cared for his dad – who was “adored by everybody” – when he was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of lung cancer after he put his symptoms down to a pulled muscle.
Tony Barker tragically lost his fight in June 2020, aged just 57. He was diagnosed two years previously, when an ache and lump in his chest prompted him to visit his GP. After his symptoms were assumed to be a pulled muscle, he visited hospital a few weeks later and an X-ray was carried out. He was then diagnosed with inoperable and incurable stage-four lung cancer.
Speaking about his dad’s diagnosis, Tony’s son Adam told Hull Live: “He was never one to go to the doctors about anything, and had thought he just had a pulled muscle, and doctors put it down to the same thing. A few weeks later he had the X-ray, and was diagnosed. My dad took it really well, because he was that type of person – it didn’t really knock him. But we were all in shock.”
Tony underwent chemotherapy and radiotherapy at The Queen’s Centre at Castle Hill Hospital in Cottingham. As his way of giving something back to those who cared for his dad during that time, Adam and eight others are running the Hull 10K race next month, with all funds raised going to the department.
“It’s just our thank you to them for everything they did,” he said.
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“They care for so many people of all ages, young and elderly, and we wanted to give something back. My dad had really intensive radiotherapy and chemotherapy there, because that’s all they could really do for him. We’re so grateful to my dad’s palliative care nurse, Julia Pamplin, and Dr Patrick Newman, who were angels on our shoulders during his battle and final days during the pandemic.
“Five years ago, I sat beside my dad’s bed a few days before he passed away and I made him a promise – that I will continue to tell his story and the fight he put up against cancer and ensure his legend lives on.
“We hope to inspire and put a smile on the faces of anyone who is fighting or fought this horrid disease and all the families who stand by their loved ones when fighting cancer.”
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Adam will run the race alongside friends James Richmond, Tom Slight, Craig Whincup, Jack Loftus, Owen Reilly, Craig Robinson, Danny Norton and Hussein Mohungoo.
“He was adored by everybody, always had time for anyone and he was everyone’s go-to person if they had a problem – a real leader,” Adam added. “He was my best mate who I loved with all my heart. We’ll tackle the race with my dad’s mentality, which was ‘never give up’.”
You can donate to Adam’s fundraiser on JustGiving by clicking here.
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