For years after the death of her brother-in-law, Andrea Gellan’s family did not talk about him or share their memories of his short life.
Dr Malcolm Gellan died in the late 1980s due to complications relating to HIV.
The Dunfermline woman, 61, who has swum the Channel and is an Ironman champion, is taking on the London Marathon for HIV charity Terrence Higgins Trust to honour his memory.
“The family did not want to talk about it at the time, it was the elephant in the room,” she said.
“It was such a shame as we were very proud of what he achieved but we didn’t speak about him. Would it have been the same if had died of another illness? I don’t think so.”
Malcolm was a graduate of Cambridge University and, at 26, the then-youngest medical consultant in Britain.
He was a consultant urologist in London, ironically, specialising in the treatment of people with HIV.
It was in the course of his vital work, which helped change the course of the epidemic, that Malcolm was, himself, diagnosed with HIV.
“Sadly he died due to complications from HIV infection in his 30s,” said Andrea, a retired industrial chemist and part-time swimming teacher.
“Malcolm worked with Terrence Higgins Trust, so that’s why I wanted to raise money for this charity.”
Today the trust works to end new HIV transmissions in the UK, empower people to live well with HIV and ensure good sexual health, as well as tackling the stigma that still surrounds HIV.
“I think Malcolm would have been very pleased to know that HIV is no longer a death sentence and that people living with HIV can live a happy, healthy life with the correct treatment.
“I’m so pleased that I have the opportunity to run the marathon in his memory as it has helped the family speak about Malcolm and remember all the good he achieved and celebrate his life.
“My daughter, who as a junior doctor is following in her uncle’s footsteps, thinks the charity is a great cause and a lovely way to remember Malcolm,” Andrea added.
Tom Woolveridge, the trust’s community fundraising officer, said: “The awareness raising and fundraising that Andrea is doing makes such a big difference to people living with and affected by HIV.”
Andrea can be sponsored at https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/AndreaGellan.
