EMMERDALE star Fiona Wade opened up about a cause close to her heart after she sadly lost her dad to oesophageal cancer.
The actress, 43, who plays Priya Sharma on the ITV soap, reached out to a fan on social media about the Oesophageal Patients Association.
Fiona showed her support for a oesophageal cancer charity
The actress reached out to a fan who could relate
On Tuesday, Fiona posted a video on social media talking about a charity that raises awareness for oesophageal cancer.
She said: “I am patron of the [Oesophageal Patients Association] charity, this is a charity that is very close to my heart so I am very pleased to be supporting this year’s Reflux Awareness week on behalf of OPA.
“Please follow @opacancercharity for more information and please help spread the word so we can keep raising awareness for this very complex disease.”
The comments section was filled with people sharing their own stories.
One fan penned: “Thank you Fiona, had a big operation for Oesophageal Cancer last year due to reflux and heartburn last year, I was one of the lucky ones.
“Thank you so much for putting your name and hard work for this. I will be forever grateful for the NHS”.
Fiona reached out and replied: “I’m so sorry you’ve had to go through so much, I wish you well and so happy that you’re better now. Sending love”.
Fiona sadly lost her dad, Colin, when she was just 24-years-old to oesophageal cancer.
In a tribute to her dad, she said: “He was such an amazing person, the best father I could ever wish for and it was so sad and shocking when he was diagnosed.
“I had never heard of this type of cancer before and I always feel to this day that if we had been more aware of oesophageal cancer or reflux disease then for sure earlier diagnosis would have made a huge difference and maybe saved his life.
“Early diagnosis by spreading awareness is absolutely key in saving lives from this cancer, so please help us to carry on doing all we can to make people more aware and help us to save lives and to support and reassure everyone who needs our help.”
Fiona with her dad at her third birthday
Fiona has played Priya Sharma since 2011
