The Operation Henry Trust, based in England, was founded in 2001 by David Snelling, who wanted to do something to help pancreatic cancer patients after his father was diagnosed. Upon completing the Santiago de Compestela Walk across Spain to raise money to support patients, he started the charity to address what he saw as a lack of support for those affected by the disease.

Today the Operation Henry Trust focuses on alleviating some of the burden placed on patients and their families after diagnosis. This is typically done by the Trust working directly with service providers to support the patient’s immediate needs that have come about as a result of their diagnosis or treatment.

Sam Foley, charity manager for Operation Henry, said support can include paying for transport to and from hospital appointments or to see loved ones, help with money for new clothes for patients who have lost weight, or help around the home by paying for gardeners or cleaners to do some of the tasks that the beneficiaries are no longer able to do themselves.

The organization has also recently developed a working relationship with Macmillan Cancer Support, in which pancreatic cancer patients with whom Macmillan works are referred to Operation Henry for additional support.

“This is allowing us to reach a great many potential beneficiaries that we would not previously have reached,” Foley said. “We are grateful to Macmillan for providing us with access to more people we can help.”

Foley added that the organization is also proud to be part of the World Pancreatic Cancer Coalition.

“The Trust really values our membership in the WPCC and the opportunities it provides us for working with other pancreatic cancer charities toward our common goals. Increased awareness of pancreatic cancer makes such a difference with the diagnosis and prognosis given to our beneficiaries,” he said.