Ruth’s story

We are nothing without the support and dedication of our wonderful fundraisers.

We sat down with long-time supporter of OCHRE, Ruth Law in Cambridgeshire to talk about why she has dedicated so much time and effort to supporting our work since the death of her late husband, Eyan.

Our decision to raise funds for Ochre was actually made at the hospital. Knowing that Eyan would not survive the cancer prompted us as a family to think about the way in which we could help to make a difference in his memory.

It probably sounds quite callous, and I cannot ‘sugar coat’ what happened, but it was our wish that something good should come out of the horrific experience that was Eyan’s journey towards his eventual death.

So there, in the hospital, we searched for a charity that supported people with Oesophageal Cancer, and found OCHRE.

Eyan was our inspiration. When he bought me a fantastic sewing/embroidery machine, he said that he wanted me always to have something to do. At that precise moment however, I had no idea that the time when the hours would drag, and my life would feel empty, was just around the corner, but not very long after those very words, it is true to say that Daphne (my machine) came to the rescue.

There seems to be no end to Daphne’s capacity to create beautiful things, and Linda (who is a fantastic friend and neighbour and fellow sewist), and I, have spent two or three days a week since July 2021, sewing and embroidering items that we sell on Social Media, and at a few events throughout the year. Every penny that we raise is donated to OCHRE, and nothing is deducted for costs of any kind – that is our personal commitment, so to speak!

We have literally learned as we have gone along, and Linda, who right at the beginning, ran across the kitchen when the machine had a blip, now thinks nothing of producing beautiful embroideries with thousands of stitches and multiple thread changes. We have come a long way, and intend to go further, and in the process, Linda has been a great support to me, and together, albeit in a limited way, we are able to do something good for OCHRE.

We make all sorts of cushions, wall hangings, coasters, Christmas decorations and much, much more, and yes, in our neck of the woods, by courtesy of Daphne, snowflakes in June really do happen!

In order to boost the funds raised we have attended various events in the last three years, the best of which is the Harvest Craft Fair at our local Church. We have also built quite a name for ourselves by taking part in the village yard sale once a year, where my daughters’ cakes and scones are a sort after treat, and donations without purchase are common.

Obviously we would have liked it to be more, but the total raised up until December 2023 (we are still working on 2024) was over £4000.

From the outset it has been our intention to raise awareness regarding the possible early symptoms of Oesophageal Cancer, and for that reason we distribute information leaflets at every event and enclose them with any purchases made.

Having realised that Eyan’s care and monitoring fell far short of recommended standards, it was always our intention to do our utmost to publicise how easy it is for the telltale signs of Oesophageal Cancer to be ignored or overlooked. It is our firm belief that it is better to get things checked before they seize the opportunity to possibly develop into a serious problem with an undesirable ending.

As a member of the local choir, I love singing, but the words of the ‘Bond Music’ haunt me when they say: ‘You Only Live Twice’. Honestly, you really don’t! You only live once, and that life is precious, so treasure it!

Our fundraising has allowed us the opportunity to meet many people who have ‘crossed swords’ with this evil disease, and wouldn’t it be amazing if all the stories were positive? Unfortunately however, although we have met some survivors and their families, all too often the stories are incredibly sad, and that is why we will continue to raise funds for as long as we are able.