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A father who initially thought he was dealing with acid reflux came to realize his symptoms were, in fact, caused by oesophagus cancer after experiencing “vomiting blood.” Zack Van Aarde, 41, sought medical help and began treatment for acid reflux following episodes of heartburn and indigestion in early 2024.
However, in July 2025, Zack’s wife, Jess, 42, found him collapsed on the stairs, vomiting blood. The father of two was quickly taken to Derriford Hospital in Plymouth, where doctors first suspected a stomach ulcer.
After an endoscopy—a procedure where a camera is used to explore the throat—Zack was diagnosed with stage four oesophagus cancer. He started chemotherapy and will continue receiving treatments every two weeks. Regular scans and blood tests will follow to track the size of the 6cm tumor and determine if he becomes eligible for surgery.
The couple is now raising funds to support their family, which includes their two children, Joshua, 10, and Hannah, eight, as Zack is unable to work. The money is also going towards “additional therapies” not covered by the NHS to complement his chemotherapy, such as Hyperbaric oxygen chamber therapy. This therapy boosts oxygen delivery throughout the body, which Zack hopes will “rejuvenate” his cells faster. Doctors strongly recommend that cancer patients consult with medical professionals before trying alternative therapies.
Zack, an account executive at a cyber security company from Bantham, south Devon, stated: “It’s been a rollercoaster. I always kept myself fit and healthy as a young dad. It came as a massive shock, but we’re doing everything we can to give myself the best chance.”
Identifying himself as “active,” Zack regularly ran ultramarathons before he began experiencing gastric symptoms at the start of 2024. Despite the medication prescribed by his GP, the symptoms continued, and things “took a turn” in July 2025.
Jess, a holiday consultant, said: “I woke up at 5am and heard heavy breathing and someone collapse. I raced out and saw Zack on the floor and he’d been vomiting blood.
“We didn’t want to scare the kids, so quickly got him in the room and called an ambulance. He’d lost so much blood he was struggling to stand or sit up.”
Paramedics rushed Zack to hospital, where doctors conducted tests and the following day, they delivered the devastating news that Zack had cancer.
Jess said: “It was a huge shock. It was so surreal – it was like a film. You just can’t believe this is happening.”
Doctors initially planned to operate on the tumour, but decided to commence chemotherapy first with the hope of shrinking it. Zack is currently undergoing chemotherapy sessions every two weeks to combat the cancer, as well as having weekly blood tests and scans to monitor the progression.
Zack said: “It’s the hardest thing as a parent, telling your kids you’ve got cancer. But they’re very resilient and they’re handled it amazingly.”
The couple are currently raising funds for additional treatments not provided by the NHS, and Zack is maintaining his running regime throughout his treatment, pledging to run “one mile” for every £10 donated on his GoFundMe page.
He added: “Chemotherapy kills all the cells – good and bad ones. To give my cells the best chance of rejuvenating more quickly, we’ve been researching additional therapies.
“I’ve undergone hyperbaric oxygen therapy chamber, which increases oxygen to the body, IV drips with intense doses of vitamin C – to boost the immune system – and red light therapy. I’m determined to do whatever I can to give to me the best chance for my family.”
