The family of a 35-year-old Ayr dad diagnosed with terminal cancer has launched a fundraising appeal to help him access private treatment.
John Robertson is a devoted husband to Nicole and father to three children, Jorja, 15, Paris-Cole, eight, and four-year-old Clay-Ty.
The appeal has already raised nearly £5,000 as the family searches for treatment options which could give John more precious time with his wife and children.
John’s symptoms began in February 2026 when he started having difficulty swallowing food. He said food would become trapped on the way down, sometimes forcing him to bring it back up to relieve the pain and blockage.
A few months later, he began experiencing severe crushing pain in the centre of his chest, accompanied by a tightening sensation around his ribcage.
After Nicole urged him to seek medical advice, John visited his GP. His symptoms and weight loss resulted in him being fast-tracked for an endoscopy.
During the examination, doctors discovered bleeding and a tumour at the bottom of John’s oesophagus, covering around 75 per cent of the passage.
He was subsequently sent for a CT scan while doctors awaited the results of biopsies.
On June 24, John and his family received the devastating news that he had stage four oesophageal adenocarcinoma.
The cancer had spread to several areas of his body, including his liver.
Despite the devastating diagnosis, John remains determined to fight the disease and explore every possible treatment option.
Writing on his fundraising page, John said: “I am first a father and a husband. I am 35 years old and from Ayr in Scotland.
“I am a father to three amazing gifts I have been blessed with, Jorja, Paris-Cole and Clay-Ty, and husband to my absolute rock and best friend, Nicole.
“It is for them that I find myself sitting here and sharing my heartbreak.”
John said asking for help had not been easy, but he is grateful for every donation and every person who shares his story.
He added: “This fight is bigger than me, but I am in no position to back down from it.
“Please stand with me in this fight and help me.
“If you are unable to donate, may I please ask you to share my story and help it reach as many people as possible? That helps massively.
“Thank you for taking the time to read my story.”
Anyone wishing to support John and his family can donate through their online fundraising page.