Call for an instant quote 0345 90 80 161
Open Mon to Fri 09:00 - 17:30 | Sat 09:00 - 16:00 (GMT)
Or call 0345 90 80 161
14 December 2016 09:02
Restaurant critic AA Gill died after a short battle with cancer
Legendary newspaper columnist AA Gill revealed the story of him coming to terms with his cancer diagnosis in the final article before his death.
The Sunday Times restaurant critic died on Saturday after revealing to the paper in November that he had been diagnosed with inoperable cancer.
Giant among journalists
The 62-year-old had described it as "an embarrassment of cancer, the full English".
Gill was famously dyslexic, and dictated his columns to copy takers. His writing style was inimitable, and he was described as "a giant among journalists" by the Sunday Times editor - one of many touching tributes from other writers.
He visited the doctor after family noticed he had lost weight during a holiday. Doctors then diagnosed him with lung cancer that had spread to his neck and pancreas, with tumours that were inoperable and unsuitable for radiotherapy.
Life-extending treatment
In a final column printed the day after his death, he told how the NHS had not been able to give him a potentially life-extending cancer treatment.
He wrote in the Sunday Times magazine that his oncologist recommended immunotherapy but that it couldn't be provided on the NHS. One year's worth of immunotherapy can cost as much as £100,000 for a lung cancer patient.
More life with your kids
Gill wrote that the therapy could have helped him to live "considerably" longer. He called the treatment a "considerable bit of life" - a stretch but not a cure.
But he wrote candidly about what the extra time could mean to someone.
"More life with your kids, more life with your friends, more life holding hands, more life shared, more life spent on earth - but only if you can pay."
Cancer sufferers can arrange specialist medical travel insurance if well enough to travel to visit family.
16 April 2019
Heading to Madrid? Here's our guide to six must-see places you should visit in the Spanish capital, from food markets to fine art and plenty in between.
[more...]
10 April 2019
Experience the magic of Madrid's Fiesta de San Isidro 2019! Discover where to stay, what to eat and what to see as you explore one of Spain's greatest festivals.
Experience Seville's intoxicating Feria de Abril and discover Andalucía's most famous festival! Here's your ultimate guide to La Feria.
01 April 2019
Songkran is Thailand's famous New Year's festival - and the world's biggest water fight. Here's everything you need to know before you plan your trip.
Travelling to Thailand? Learn the important local traditions and cultures to ensure you act respectfully in 'The land of a thousand smiles.'
Travelling overseas with young children? Make going through the airport easy and stress-free by following these top tips for surviving the airport with kids when flying.
25 March 2019
Discover the best places to learn to scuba dive! Check out our list of top dive locations around the world that are perfect for scuba diving beginners.
Looking for some late-season skiing? Here are some of the best places for spring skiing in Europe where you can enjoy reliable snow cover.
19 March 2019
Looking for adventure? Create your perfect Scandinavian weekend with these alternative city break ideas.
Lower your blood pressure with these fresh, healthy foods you can add to your diet.
02 March 2019
A Flybe flight was forced to abort take-off due to the cabin filling with "smoke" while it was accelerating along the runway at Exeter Airport.
01 March 2019
Holidaymakers will soon be able to take advantage of the first direct flight from London to Scotland's Western Isles after Loganair announced three new routes.