News & Insights
My Cancer Story: Alan Clinton, Managing Director, DCBS
To mark Daffodil Day 2022, some of our employees have bravely shared their stories about how cancer has affected them and their families.
Our people are at the heart of everything that we do. We are so proud of them for sharing their personal stories to help create awareness and promote the importance of fundraising for cancer research.
Supporting cancer research and treatment continues to be a key focus of Mercury’s CSR strategy and we will be hosting a number of initiatives throughout 2022.
Alan Clinton, Managing Director for our DCBS Business Unit, bravely shares his father’s cancer story below.
Can you tell us your personal / family story with cancer?
“In March 2019, my father was diagnosed with cancer. The night of my grandmother’s funeral, my dad wasn’t feeling well and went into A&E – this was the start of his journey with cancer, which continues today. The cancer started in the prostate which if found early is treatable, but unfortunately like many males, my dad ignored the simple warning signs and the disease spread. It is mentally a daily battle for my dad, as I am sure this is always on his mind, but he is very grateful to still be here three years after his diagnosis and this is thanks to work of the wonderful doctors, and the support he has received.”
Tell us about the impact and change the diagnosis had on your family?
“This has impacted my family greatly as my dad has been through major treatments and it is hard to witness how this has affected him, both physically and mentally. It has also deeply affected my mother who supports my dad daily, and this had made her look at things differently as she knows he won’t be around forever. My parents celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in February and thankfully my mother, father and siblings were all here to celebrate this.”
Why are you supporting the fight against cancer?
“I have witnessed cancer first-hand and have experienced how this effects the person, and those around them. I have also attended hospitals [with my dad] and have seen how doctors and support staff deal with this disease and it’s incredible how they comfort the person and also deal with the illness and then the recovery stage. In 2015 my mother in law passed away due to a year long battle with cancer and this has impacted my wife, children and myself greatly. I also know that my story is minor compared to others like children and teenagers who develop this disease while their entire lives are ahead of them. I honestly believe that one day there will be a cure for cancer but for now, while this is being developed, we all need to be aware of the early signs of this disease and I am supporting the fight against cancer as I want to highlight my story as it may raise awareness and benefit others.”
What can people do to stand up to cancer and why do you feel it’s important to support fundraising and creating awareness?
“To stand up to cancer we all need to be aware that this terrible disease exists and through fundraising and research it can be beaten. This might not happen in our generation, but we hope in the generation of our children, or their children.”
To donate to the Irish Cancer Society, please click here.
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