Pancreatic Cancer UK unveiled Shoes of Hope along the River Thames, highlighting the devastating impact of pancreatic cancer ahead of the London Marathon. Surbiton residents, Alex and Izzy Kabban, donated a pair of trainers to the installation in memory of their dad. They are running this year’s London Marathon to help the charity raise funds to develop the ‘ultimate test’ to speed up detection of the deadliest common cancer.
The poignant installation revealed at Potters Fields Park featured 797 running shoes, including the pair Alex and Izzy donated, with a dedicated to their dad, which read “We were so lucky to know a force of nature like you – and even luckier to be loved by you. We miss you every single day, Dad, and we hope to keep making you proud. With all our love, Izzy and Alex.” Their pair rested alongside trainers donated by celebrities, survivors, other bereaved families, and supporters. Each pair represents the number of lives lost to the disease every month in the UK.
Pancreatic Cancer UK is the Charity of the Year for the TCS London Marathon, and the Shoes of Hope installation was unveiled by Tony Audenshaw (Emmerdale), who is also taking on the marathon in memory of his wife, Ruth, who died from the disease in 2017.
The Kabbans will join Tony and over 700 runners on Sunday 27th of April 2025 to take on the ultimate test of endurance to help deliver the ultimate test – the first ever early detection test for pancreatic cancer.
Alex and Izzy’s dad, Mounir experienced more adversity in his life than most. He grew up in an area of the Middle East where conflict was rife, and he lost both his parents by the age of 10. After his family relocated, Mounir’s determination and aspirations saw him build his own successful business all while being an incredible dad to Izzy and Alex.
In 2021, Alex and Izzy noticed their dad had started to lose weight and his appetite lessened. Through his work, Mounir had regular check-ups and blood tests and around the end of 2022, he was told he had Type 2 diabetes. Soon after, he started to experience stomach pain. His doctor ordered an endoscopy and colonoscopy which picked up nothing. However, the pain continued, and a CT scan was ordered in February 2023.
Alex, 36 said: “He was having a business lunch when he called. They had found something on the pancreas and weren’t sure what it was. Dad immediately went for a second scan which confirmed it was pancreatic cancer. That moment will stay with me forever. The life in me evaporated. It was a shock.”
Izzy, 30 added: “I had been quietly hopeful. The tests he had to this point were all clear. Then Alex called to tell me the news. Life changed forever from that moment. You can never go back to how things were.”
The pair were hopeful it hadn’t spread because of Mounir’s frequent check-ups but at his next appointment, they were told that it was widespread and inoperable. He started chemotherapy straight away, determined to get as much time as possible with his loved ones. The treatment gave him nine months, during which time Alex and Izzy cared for their dad, sometimes working 20-hour days to keep him comfortable.
Alex said: “I was happy to stop work because any problem or issue felt so trivial in comparison. On one hand, I wouldn’t have had these months any other way, I would have given dad everything. However, the effect that this has on you once your loved one is gone…it’s monumental because that becomes your new normal.”
Izzy added: “I’m still feeling the impact of this time, struggling to sleep as I’m worried my phone will ring. It was months of constant fight or flight mode. It was deeply traumatic.”
Mounir died in November 2023, aged 80, with Izzy and Alex by his side. The siblings found out that Pancreatic Cancer UK was to be Charity of the Year for the 2025 TCS London Marathon on their dad’s first birthday since his passing. Thinking it was a sign, the pair applied immediately.
Izzy said: “Obviously, we are doing this because of dad but we’re also doing it for everyone affected by pancreatic cancer. It makes us angry knowing so few people diagnosed with this disease can have surgery. You don’t even stand a chance – your chance is stolen by a late diagnosis.”
Alex added: “Dad had private care, but his cancer was still found too late. It really highlights how impossible it is to catch early. I feel like we have this sense of duty to dad, and everyone impacted by this cruel cancer to spread awareness, and hopefully prevent others from having the same year we did in 2023.”
The Kabbans joined Tony Audenshaw and other well-known names for the unveiling of Shoes of Hope including Barbara Flynn (whose husband passed away), Rima Horton (who lost her husband and actor, Alan Rickman to the disease) and presenter Adil Ray (who lost his mum).
Among the celebrity from the worlds of television, film, and sport who donated shoes to the installation are actress Olivia Williams (who survived the disease), actors Richard Armitage, Alison Steadman, and chef Ainsley Harriott (who all lost their mothers to pancreatic cancer), reality star Georgia Toffolo (whose father-in-law passed away), boxer Amir Khan (whose mother survived), and Countryfile presenter Adam Henson (whose wife survived).
The display coincides with new research from Pancreatic Cancer UK revealing a stark lack of awareness about the disease. The survey found 70% of people fail to recognise the symptoms, such as changes in bowel habits, indigestion, and back pain, which often go unnoticed due to the absence of early detection tests. Tragically, more than half of those diagnosed die within three months.
The research also reveals that the public underestimates the severity of the crisis, with many misjudging the annual death toll by 50%. Pancreatic cancer is set to overtake breast cancer as the UK’s fourth deadliest cancer by 2027. Alarmingly, 27% of people would delay seeing a doctor, and 19% fear ‘wasting the doctor’s time’ despite serious symptoms.
Despite the grim statistics, over a third of respondents remain hopeful about scientific breakthroughs, such as a world-first, cost-effective diagnostic breath test in development at Imperial College London which is funded by the charity. It is hoped to be a crucial step in improving survival which has barely changed since the 1970s.
Pancreatic Cancer UK aims to raise £2 million to go towards vital research into early detection. But to transform survival and save thousands of lives the charity needs governments to do more.It has launched an open letter calling on governments across the UK to commit at least £35 million annually to pancreatic cancer research for the next 20 years.
Diana Jupp, Chief Executive of Pancreatic Cancer UK, said: “Pancreatic cancer has been overlooked, underfunded, left behind, and this installation lays bare the heartbreaking impact felt by hundreds of families every month across the UK. Each pair of these trainers tells a story, tragically, too often that’s of someone special diagnosed too late for lifesaving treatment. Someone who is missing – because we are missing a test to detect pancreatic cancer at an early stage.
“This year’s London Marathon is a unique opportunity to transform awareness and, crucially, give more than hope to all those who will face this devastating disease in future. A test for pancreatic cancer is finally within reach and our runners have kick-started the vital fundraising needed to make early detection a reality. Whether you cheer runners around the course on the day, watch from the sofa or sign our letter to governments, please help us put a test for the deadliest common cancer into the hands of doctors. It’s time to unite, diagnose and save lives.”
Visit www.pancreaticcancer.org.uk/save-lives-now/ and sign the open letter urging UK governments to fund early detection research.
Support Alex & Izzy Kabban: https://2025tcslondonmarathon.enthuse.com/pf/isabelle-kabban
