Why this devoted family are shining a light to help people survive pancreatic cancer
A. W. LYMN THEFAMILY FUNERAL SERVICE IS SUPPORTING THE FAMILY OF THEIR BELOVED FRIEND ANTONIO “TONY” ROMANO WHO DIED WITHIN 18 DAYS OF HIS PANCREATIC CANCER DIAGNOSIS
SUCCESSFUL businessman Antonio “Tony” Romano enjoyed a fun-filled family Christmas, surrounded by his loving family who he cherished so dearly. Laughter, dancing, singing and excitement for future adventures in 2020 were the hallmarks of the celebrations.
But it wasn’t the coronavirus pandemic that brought the father-ofthree’s plans to an end.
Just eight weeks later, Tony - who was managing director of international garment manufacturers RBL Global - had died from pancreatic cancer aged 53.
His family and friends were left heartbroken at their sudden loss - with Tony displaying no visible signs of serious illness until just a few days before his passing.
But they recently united in a brave bid to raise awareness of the devastating disease which took their loved one from them too soon.
On November 19, they supported the Purple Lights campaign for World Pancreatic Cancer Day, with Tony’s long-time friend Matthew Lymn Rose, of A. W. Lymn The Family Funeral Service, supporting them.
Tony, whose family originate from Accettura in Italy, helped build offices at the 113 year-old undertakers, and in a poignant tribute those buildings will be lit up in purple to honour his family’s wishes to back the charity’s campaign.
Tony’s family are delighted his memory is being kept alive by his friends in this way.
Daughter Nadia said: “It was a wonderful Christmas. We keep looking back and saying things like ‘thank goodness we did that’ - we had so much fun.
“Dad was always so positive and healthy. We had no idea what lay ahead. It was all so sudden.
“In January he complained of stomach and back pain, but believed it was nothing serious to worry about.
“However, two days later, he drove himself to hospital, with my mum accompanying him, because he was in a lot of pain and struggling to eat or work.
“He was scanned for all sorts of things to determine the problem.
“On 31st January he was diagnosed with Stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer and told he only had weeks to live as the cancer had spread to his liver and was inoperable and untreatable.
“He lived for 18 days after this diagnosis and died on 18th February
2020.
“Until his very last few days, my dad was the same positive, caring and enthusiastic man he has always been, and he used his last few days to only worry about his family and never once about himself.
“He was so selfless and we miss him very much.
“It’s so important that people know how dangerous these symptoms are. We want to help others identify the symptoms as soon as they can.
“Pancreatic Cancer UK want to develop a simple test to detect the disease early and we want to help them.”
Nadia and her sister Adriana, brother Gianni and mum Sabrina have already raised £4,700 for the Gervis Pearson Ward (Oncology) at Nottingham City Hospital.
Throughout November the family are running, cycling or walking 240 miles in 24 days between them to support Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month - and have already raised £1,616 towards their £2,000 goal.
Their dedication is admirable as they are also working hard to manage the family business, including their latest venture in eco clothing called Lyfcycle Ltd.
In addition to A. W. Lymn offices, other Nottingham landmarks which are turning purple in support of their cause are Wollaton Hall and Green’s
Windmill.
The family are contacting other iconic spots to support them too.
They are also supported by their extended family and Italian community across the East Midlands.
Tony became friends with Matthew Lymn Rose when the funeral director helped repatriate the body of one of his friends who was from the same village in Italy. His friend had died while visiting family and A. W. Lymn arranged for him to return to his family in the UK.
The pair remained friends, with Tony’s wife, Sabrina, making Matthew and his wife’s wedding cake when he married.
A. W. Lymn helped Tony’s family in their time of need, organising his funeral at St Barnabas Cathedral and helping his loved ones to pay tribute to him on a dedicated online memorial page.
Nadia told how she and her family appreciated the help her father’s friend’s company gave them.
She added that the arrangements for his funeral had been made easier as Tony had pre-made plans for his passing with A. W. Lymn, which has 27 funeral homes across Nottinghamshire and South Derbyshire.
He discussed his wishes with Matthew when he came to visit him in hospital.
The undertakers help hundreds of
people across the East Midlands to organise their own funerals ahead of their passing.
Across the UK more people are opting to pre-plan their funerals for a variety of reasons - often because they are concerned about leaving their family with the worry of making arrangements at a time of deep distress.
It also helps to alleviate the burden of cost for loved ones.
Matthew said: “We are honoured to support Tony’s family as they courageously raise awareness of pancreatic cancer.
“Tony was a dear friend, and my wife and I, have fond memories of him which we will keep forever.
“We hope that this year’s purple lights campaign for World Pancreatic Cancer Day is successful and that the funding needed to help early diagnoses of this disease and save lives is raised.”
To support Nadia and her family to raise funds for research into pancreatic cancer, visit pcam. pancreaticcancer.org.uk/ fundraisers/nadiaromano
If you have a special request for remembering your loved one or arranging a pre-paid funeral service, go to www.lymn.co.uk, call 0800 092 0645 or email funerals@lymn.co.uk