After losing husband to pancreatic cancer, Kerry pens song to raise awareness of illness

But a new self-penned song to raise money for Pancreatic Cancer Action makes it clear that her sense of loss is as raw now as it was on the day that Kesh man, Noel, lost his battle with the disease.

‘Heavenly Blessing’ was originally only supposed to be a personal project for mum of two, Kerry -- a means of documenting her own journey of grief.

But now the song has taken on a whole new meaning as it raises much needed awareness and funds for the charity fighting against the fifth biggest cancer killer in the UK.

Noel was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in the Spring of 2011.

Despite putting up a courageous fight, he died on November 25 that year.

Since then Kerry has made it her mission to promote early diagnosis of pancreatic cancer as well as raising money and funding for research.

But her latest venture is the most personal to date.

Working alongside James Huish and singer, Jolene O’Hara, the song documents Kerry’s most personal feelings of loss.

“James told me to write down some lyrics,” Kerry explains, “I have never written a song before so a friend, Kelley Spacey, helped me.

“Over a couple of hours we hashed out some lyrics and sent them to James.

“Two months later he got back in touch and told me a female singer would record the song.” Her work became a reality when James played the song down through the phone to Kerry.

“At that stage it was still very much a personal project,” says Kerry, “When I first heard it, it was everything that I wanted it to be -- it made the hairs standing on the back of my neck stand on end -- it was very surreal. Even though it doesn’t mention Noel by name, it is still very personal. And nearly two months down the road it is still very surreal every time that I listen to it. We all have songs we can relate to. But it is another thing to have a song that you know is specifically about you, your situation and how you are feeling.

“I found the whole process therapeutic. I am two-and-a-half years on from losing Noel but there are days when it still feels like it was yesterday -- there are days when you are right back there.” It was James who initially suggested Kerry release the song.

“At first I was very much against the idea. Then I thought, what better way to try and make people understand more about pancreatic cancer and help the charity?

“Some people might say it is a step too far -- that maybe I should have kept it to myself. But it is my story to tell and I chose to tell it this way.” Along with pictures of Noel the music video also includes the faces of others who have battled against the disease.

Available for download through Tunecore on Itunes and Amazon, Kerry will have to wait a few more weeks for the first official sales reports.

“The proof is in the pudding so to speak,” she says, “But I have had a lot of good feedback so far. We are focusing now on trying to get the song more local airplay.” Continuing to carry the purple flag for pancreatic cancer, Kerry took her fight to Stormont on Monday and Tuesday this week.

“On Monday I met with Health Minister Edwin Poots and on TuesdayI gave) an address to the all-party cancer group,” she explains.

“Early diagnosis is so important but that just isn’t happening. That is something that has to change and the only way to change it is through awareness and education.

“GPs need to start listening to their patients. The PCA has a learning module for GPs on pancreatic cancer, available completely free of charge. But GPs here are not availing of it and I want to know why.

“It is the fifth biggest cancer killer in the UK but is still only getting 1 per cent of the research funding.

“I’m tired of saying all these goodbyes to amazing people suffering from pancreatic cancer -- we need to do something to change this.”