Scots dad's devastating diagnosis after 'failing to eat christmas dinner'

EMER AND KEALAN DELANEY ARE TAKING PART IN THE EDINBURGH MARATHON AND HALF MARATHON TO RAISE VITAL FUNDS FOR NEW MYELOMA TREATMENTS AFTER THEIR DAD JIM WAS HIT WITH A SHOCK CANCER DIAGNOSIS

IN 2020. KRIS GOURLAY and EVE BEATTIE News Reporter at Daily Record 04:30, 21 May 2025 Two devoted Midlothian siblings are taking on an emotional challenge in honour of their dad, who was

diagnosed with blood cancer after struggling to eat his Christmas dinner. Emer and Kealan Delaney, from Straiton, are taking part in the Edinburgh Marathon and Half Marathon and aim to raise

at least £1,500 for Myeloma UK after their dad Jim was diagnosed in 2020, reports Edinburgh Live. Jim, 66, had been feeling unusually tired and losing weight in the run-up to Christmas in

2019. However, it all came to a head when he struggled to eat his Christmas dinner and began suffering from crippling back pain. Doctors soon delivered the shocking news that Jim had

myeloma, a rare blood cancer that develops in the bone marrow. Emer, 27, said: "We noticed he was losing weight and he was quite sleepy, but the real kicker was his back pain and him

not eating his favourite foods during the festive period. We knew something was wrong. "One of the first things we did when he was diagnosed was Google myeloma and it was very helpful

to find Myeloma UK and to have resources to help us understand it and break it down. I want to raise money for Myeloma UK, I want to prove to myself that I can do it and I want my dad to be

proud of me. You get one life and why not do it? Article continues below "The hope is if he relapses again, there will be other treatments, new options for him to have a good quality of

life." Emer recalled that Jim, from Edinburgh, had not been himself for some time. After weeks of back and forth appointments with the GP, Jim was sent for a blood test. The family

then received a worried call from the GP telling Jim to get to the hospital as soon as possible. He was diagnosed with myeloma in January 2020, aged 61. "It was a bit of a shock,"

said Emer. "My dad was out for a walk one day when the phone rang and it was the GP saying he needed to go to the hospital ASAP. I had to phone my parents and say, ‘Something is wrong’.

He was diagnosed quickly. "The healthcare professionals were all quite shocked he was even able to go for a walk because the myeloma was very advanced. That sums up the type of person

my dad is." Jim had chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant. Unfortunately, his cancer returned last year and he began treatment again. He also received a second stem cell transplant to

try and keep the cancer at bay. Thankfully, he’s now stable and back at work, something his children say is nothing short of inspirational. "He’s back at work and doing amazing and

everything that Myeloma UK has provided, all the resources and booklets, have just made what was a daunting experience much more comfortable," Emer continued. JOIN THE DAILY RECORD

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the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Her brother Kealan, 31, said: "After seeing my sister do such a

great job last year at the half marathon and raising an amazing amount for Myeloma UK, I was inspired to take on the challenge for such a great cause. "I'm running this half

marathon in tribute to my dad and everyone affected by myeloma. It's not just about crossing the finish line, it's about showing strength, raising awareness, and supporting the

incredible work of this charity. Every step I take is for him and the fight he's facing with courage every day." "My dad truly is my hero. I’ve never met a man who can remain

so positive and show such determination every single day. He’s the sort of person that would have undergone the most horrific of treatments and would never complain and ask about your day

instead. "He would do anything for anyone and always has a smile on his face whilst doing so. This Is for you Dad, keep fighting the good fight." After completing the Edinburgh

Half Marathon last year for Myeloma UK, Emer knew she had it in her to run the full marathon this time around. Inspired by her efforts her brother signed up to the half. Emer said:

"Before the Edinburgh Half Marathon last year, I’d done no running at all. Now I’m doing my first full marathon – it’s been a journey. Over the last few weeks, the training has gotten

more challenging, but, when I’m running, I tend to think about the challenges my dad has faced in and out of hospital, and his courageous nature to carry on. "We are a very close family

and are so lucky to have one another and good support networks who have kept us going and keep us positive. My dad himself has run marathons, so when it gets a bit tough I think, ‘Well, I

want to be like him, I want him to be proud of me and if he can sit through lengthy treatments, then I can absolutely run a marathon for him." Myeloma is an incurable form of blood

cancer that starts in the bone marrow - and it affects more than 33,000 people across the UK, including over 2,300 in Scotland. Despite being the third most common type of blood cancer,

myeloma is difficult to detect as symptoms are often linked to general ageing or minor conditions. While it is incurable, myeloma is treatable in the majority of cases. According to charity

Myeloma UK, over a third of people with myeloma attend at least three appointments at their GP practice before getting a diagnosis. Article continues below To support Emer and Kealan visit

their JustGiving page. For more information about myeloma or to get in touch with Myeloma UK go to www.myeloma.org.uk. Myeloma UK runs a free Infoline on 0800 980 3332.