Gill Harler was a much loved wife and mother and a well respected primary school teacher living in Weymouth.
For three and a half years she knew that something was wrong and went to numerous doctors wanting to know why she felt as if she had eaten a three course meal after only drinking a cup of tea. She underwent various tests and at one stage she was treated for IBS but continued to feel unwell.
In April 2011 she was finally told she had ovarian cancer and following surgery in May it was confirmed that she had advanced ovarian cancer. At the time of Gill’s diagnosis her family were already caring for Gill’s mother who had been diagnosed with the same disease nineteen months earlier.
Following her surgery and a course of chemotherapy six weeks later Gill started to feel more like her old self but in the back of her mind she kept thinking about the length of time it had taken for her to get a diagnosis. She belonged to a national support group for ovarian cancer and soon realised that her story was very similar to that of many other women. Symptoms were often vague, easily mistaken for other conditions and the disease was often difficult to diagnose until the later stages. There was also a very real lack of awareness of the significance of possible symptoms amongst women.
Gill decided she wanted to devote her time to raising awareness of the signs and symptoms of the disease known as the “silent killer”, to educate other women and aid early diagnosis. She felt that a poster/leaflet would probably end up in the recycling bin but a small card which was attractive and easy to pop into a bag and keep, might appeal.
She designed the ‘handbag’ style card with the acronym ACT NOW to get her message across.
“A” Describes the most common symptoms associated with ovarian cancer
“C” Concern if this is not normal for you
“T” Talk to your doctor now
Gill realised that to make her cards she needed to raise money and began organising a number of fund raising events. Even though she was undergoing more treatment at the time, with help from her family and close friends enough money was raised to make her dream come true and 150,000 cards were produced along with handy display boxes.
These cards were distributed free to every doctor surgery in Dorset, health centres, pharmacies, shops, supermarkets, hairdressers, beauty salons, slimming classes, gyms, etc, in fact anywhere where women would see them and pick one up. A website was also set up so that more cards could be requested by individuals and organisations for further distribution. Folding the cards and packing the boxes was done by Anton, Gill’s husband, her family and a willing band of helpers in the kitchen at their home in Weymouth.
In April 2016 Gill developed a tumour in her chest which did not respond to chemotherapy and she made the decision not to continue treatment and enjoy the time she had left with her family, however she continued to work tirelessly to promote awareness and support other sufferers; one a young woman in her early twenties.
In October to her surprise and amazement she opened her front door to find a television crew on her doorstep with the news that she was one of three finalists for the Inspirational Woman of the Year Award 2016. Launched in 2010 by Lorraine Kelly, this award is a celebration of ‘ordinary’ women who have achieved the extraordinary, women who have worked hard to make a difference. Gill was invited to appear on the Lorraine Show with the other two finalists and to the award ceremony at the Women of the Year Lunch in London with her daughter Karen. Although she did not win she met some fantastic people who offered help and encouragement to take her fund forward.
Gill sadly passed away in February 2017 at the age of sixty six, however she was confident that the work she had started would continue and that her message was being heard.
Based on the article published in Dorset magazine in May 2019.
