Jim Delaney, 66, who lives in Edinburgh, had noticed subtle signs leading up to the festive period, including unexplained weight loss, tiredness, and back pain
Emer and Kealan Delaney with their mom and dad Jim. Release date May 22, 2025. A father-of-two was diagnosed with cancer after his children noticed he lost his appetite for Christmas dinner. Jim Delaney, 66, had noticed subtle signs leading up to the festive period, including unexplained weight loss, tiredness, and back pain – but on Christmas, his adult children, Emer and Kealan, 27 and 31, noticed something was seriously wrong. When he struggled to eat his favourite meal of the year – his Christmas dinner – the Edinburgh siblings urged Jim to go to the doctor, where he was diagnosed with myeloma, a form of blood cancer.
A dad of two was diagnosed with cancer after his children noticed he had lost his appetite for Christmas dinner. Jim Delaney, 66, had been experiencing subtle symptoms such as unexplained weight loss, fatigue, and back pain leading up to the festive season, but it was on Christmas Day that his adult children, Emer and Kealan, aged 27 and 31, realised something was seriously amiss.
The Edinburgh siblings became concerned when Jim struggled to eat his most cherished meal of the year – his Christmas dinner – prompting them to insist he visit a doctor. It was there that Jim was diagnosed with myeloma, a type of blood cancer.
“We noticed he was losing weight and he was quite sleepy,” Emer said. The real alarm bells rang due to his back pain and lack of interest in his favourite festive foods, reports Bristol Live.
‘Something is wrong’
“We knew something was wrong,” Emer said. Following the holiday season, Jim consulted his GP and, in 2020, after undergoing various appointments and blood tests, he was diagnosed with myeloma at the age of 61. “It was a bit of a shock,” Emer admitted.
“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 has faced a tough battle, undergoing chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant only for his cancer to return last year, requiring further treatment and a second stem cell transplant in an effort to control the disease.
Fortunately, Jim is now stable. “He’s back at work and doing amazing,” Emer said.
Running the Edinburgh Half Marathon
Last year, Emer ran the Edinburgh Half Marathon to gather funds for Myeloma UK after the charity became a pillar of support and information for the family during Jim’s health battles. “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,” Emer said.
Her motivation to raise money for Myeloma UK was fuelled by her father’s condition, and her hope that if he relapsed, there would be other treatments available, new options which might allow him to lead a good quality of life. Emer felt empowered to tackle a full marathon this year after successfully completing the half marathon last year for Myeloma UK. Her brother, inspired by her dedication, decided to join and will run the half marathon, and together they aim to raise £1,500 for the charity.
Emer recalls her novice status before taking on the previous year’s challenge: “Before the Edinburgh Half Marathon last year, I’d done no running at all,” she admitted. “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.”
Kealan 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.”
Myeloma often goes undetected
Myeloma, an incurable blood cancer found in the bone marrow, affects over 33,000 people in the UK. Despite being the third most common type of blood cancer, it often goes undetected due to symptoms that can be mistaken for general ageing or minor ailments.
Although incurable, treatment is possible for the majority of myeloma cases. Emer and Kealan are determined to raise funds for the charity to continue research into the disease – for their father and all other families impacted. Emer said: “I want to prove to myself that I can do it and I want my dad to be proud of me.
“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.
Emer and Kealan Delaney with their dad Jim. Release date May 22, 2025. A father-of-two was diagnosed with cancer after his children noticed he lost his appetite for Christmas dinner. Jim Delaney, 66, had noticed subtle signs leading up to the festive period, including unexplained weight loss, tiredness, and back pain – but on Christmas, his adult children, Emer and Kealan, 27 and 31, noticed something was seriously wrong. When he struggled to eat his favourite meal of the year – his Christmas dinner – the Edinburgh siblings urged Jim to go to the doctor, where he was diagnosed with myeloma, a form of blood cancer.
“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. Kealan added: “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.” To support Emer and Kealan, go to https://www.justgiving.com/page/kealan-and-emer-edinburghmarathon.