Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
I’ve kept walking for Paul through the darkest days
Dad keeps alive son’s memory
DERRY YESTERDAY
A MAN who lost his son to cancer almost nine years ago said the pain of his death has never left him.
Paul Coyle, who was just 27 when he died of sarcoma in August 2011, is remembered for living life to the full.
His parents Francie and Maureen along with his three brothers Christopher, Mark and Gerard, have kept his memory alive by raising awareness through Paul’s Campaign.
More than 5,000 people are diagnosed with sarcoma in the UK each year and around 120 in Northern Ireland and 350 in the Republic.
July marks Sarcoma Awareness Month when Paul’s family, friends and supporters usually take part in an annual sponsored walk around the Derry Walls.
However, this year’s event had to be cancelled due to coronavirus.
In the years since Paul’s death, the campaign has gone from strength to strength, saving hundreds of lives, with the Coyle family lobbying for more research into the disease.
The campaign has established a two-week long waiting time for an ultrasound scan for those with a “lump, bump, cyst or swelling”.
And a project close to Francie’s heart, the Young Ambassador Programme, was set up to encourage young people to spread awareness of sarcoma in schools around Northern Ireland and the Republic.
Speaking to the Mirror, Francie said: “It’s the first year since we started that it won’t go ahead in its usual way, so I decided that I didn’t want to bypass us.
HIGHLIGHT
“The walk was the highlight of the campaign all year, so I started doing the walk every day myself on July 1 and it has really took off.
“People have joined me on some days and the Mayor is going to take part before the end of the month.
“On the first day, I had a picture of Paul and a picture of Sister Clare because I knew her and her family.
“Some days people are asking me to take a picture of their loved one in memory of them, I’ve been blown away by the response.”
Despite the constant campaigning, Francie says the grief the family suffers is something he feels they will never recover from.
He added: “The pain never goes away, it is a constant grief.
“His death devastated us all – his mother, brothers and extended family. It came as a shock to us all at the time.
“It still feels like yesterday to me and I would swap places with him in a second.
“I have three other sons and they have been a great support to myself and Maureen throughout but when you’re alone, that’s when the hurt really comes through.
“The stress and the anguish that goes through my head is unbelievable. I wouldn’t wish it on anybody.
“The words he always told me was to ‘Soldier on, Da’ and that’s what I’ve been trying to do through some of the darkest days.”
And the Derry father said he is now more determined than ever to raise awareness of how Sarcoma can hit even the healthiest in society.
If you would like to know more about Sarcoma Cancer Awareness or Paul’s Campaign go to Facebook.