David McClure - Climbing Criffel for Cancer

I’m David McClure, a GNO1 working in Dumfries (Scotland West region) and I’ve been with SGN for four years.

Today I’m sharing my story of beating aggressive lung cancer over the last year – and how grateful I am to SGN for supporting me.

We’re often quick to share negative stories but not the positive. The support I received from my managers and colleagues was incredible and I honestly don’t think I could have asked for more.

The diagnosis that changed everything

Last summer, my wife noticed I was getting out of breath more easily. I didn’t think much of it, but I went for a CT scan just to be safe.

A week later, I got the news – a shadow on my lung, which was confirmed as cancer by the end of July. At first, they didn’t know what type it was or if it was curable. I had to prepare myself for the reality that I might not have very long to live.

I had follow-up tests and scans and finally, on 4 September, my consultant was able to give me the full picture.

I was told that the cancer was stage 3, aggressive, and very close to my heart, making operating tricky. But there was a glimmer of hope – I was offered a place on a clinical trial aiming for a full cure.

Unwavering support

When I told my managers, Kevin Wilson and Graham Black, they didn’t hesitate. “Do what you need to do for your health,” they told me. There was no pressure, no stress about time off, no forcing me to use up all my holidays for appointments. Senior manager Chris Moyes was just as supportive.

Normally you’d have your operation first, followed by chemotherapy, but I had to have it the other way round. The cancer was too close to my heart to operate so needed shrinking first.

I started chemotherapy and immunotherapy in September. My managers asked permission to call me once a week while I was on sick leave, just to check on me.

In December, I then had the surgery. Graham and Chris turned up at the hospital with chocolates, which meant so much, especially given how busy the winter is at work!

The fight for recovery

The treatment was brutal – chemo and immunotherapy take a lot out of you.

It was especially tough for my two youngest kids, both teenagers, as I couldn’t do much with them. It was hard feeling like I was just lying on the sofa all day for months with no energy. I couldn’t see my grandkids at all because of the infection risk.

But in February, my consultant gave me the news I’d been hoping for: I was cancer-free. He told me that without surgery, I wouldn’t have made it past this summer, but now I have a second chance at life.

I’ve just returned to work after six months. My consultant warned me not to overdo it, but I was desperate to have some normality again.

SGN were brilliant, allowing me to phase back in part-time, with lighter duties and extra support. I know that it’s only because of this flexibility that I’ve been able to return so soon.

A message to everyone

I was lucky. I saw others in hospital who didn’t have that luck. If something doesn’t feel right, get checked out. I had no big symptoms, just a bit of breathlessness.

Another reason for sharing my story is my hope that the younger generation take on board how important it is to protect themselves by wearing the right PPE.

I’ve worked in this industry since I was 16, and back then, we didn’t always have the same PPE standards we do now. I sometimes cut corners, not wearing face masks, not thinking about the impact on my health. Doctors have told me that this probably was one of the causes of my cancer.

I know I can’t change the past, but I can make the most of this second chance. I’m determined to give back, so in the summer, I’ll be climbing a local mountain to raise money for McMillan Cancer support and DGRI oncology department on Friday 1st August 2025

Thanks for reading

David