The Stirling-born world champion triathlete and All Quiet On The Western Front screenwriter announced on Instagram that her “darling boy” Simon Marshall had died on Saturday. In January this year, the couple revealed that the 51-year-old had been diagnosed with stage four pancreatic cancer. They had launched a fundraising appeal to help pay for extra treatments.
It had raised almost £100,000 since its launch in January. On the GoFundMe page, Paterson wrote: “Life has a way of challenging us with unexpected obstacles, and right now, my husband Simon and I are facing the greatest test of our lives. Just eight weeks ago, Simon was diagnosed with late stage Pancreatic Cancer, thrusting us into a battle against a formidable foe.
Guided by the unwavering spirit that has defined our lives, we are determined to conquer this monumental challenge. “Simon was on the brink of a remarkable new chapter in his career when this diagnosis disrupted our plans, impacting us emotionally, physically, and financially. While we are fortunate to have excellent insurance, the standard care options available for Pancreatic Cancer can be somewhat limiting in their effectiveness.
In our quest for the best possible outcome, we are exploring new and emerging treatments, therapies, and modalities. “These groundbreaking approaches offer hope, but they come at a significant cost. In our pursuit of victory over this relentless adversary, we find ourselves in need of support from our incredible comm.