Zack Van Aarde, a father of two, first thought his heartburn was “something a pill can fix.” Doctors assured him it was routine, but in July 2025, everything changed. One morning, he collapsed at home. His wife Jess found him vomiting blood and barely conscious. “He’d lost so much blood he couldn’t even stand,” she said.

At Derriford Hospital, doctors first suspected a bleeding ulcer, but an endoscopy revealed stage four esophageal cancer. A six-centimeter tumor had been silently growing inside him. “It came as a massive shock,” Zack shared. “Now, I’m just doing everything I can to give myself the best chance.”

Once fit and active, Zack now undergoes chemotherapy every two weeks, enduring tests and scans to see if the tumor can shrink enough for surgery. Despite the toll, he stays determined.

He’s also trying complementary therapies—hyperbaric oxygen, high-dose vitamin C, and red-light sessions—to boost his recovery. To help fund treatment, Zack and Jess started a GoFundMe, where Zack pledged to “run one mile for every £10 donated.”

Esophageal cancer often hides behind simple reflux. Through his journey, Zack hopes to raise awareness—so others don’t ignore the warning signs.