Ellie says dad Johnnie has ‘never once been the victim’.
‘I’ve never once heard him be the victim, he’s just so positive'(Image: Supplied)
An East Lothian daughter has spoken of her pride for her dad who ‘never gives up’. Johnnie Meechan, 48, was given a terminal diagnosis back in 2016.
Doctors told the dad-of-five he had neuroendocrine cancer, and a life expectancy of five years. Defying the odds, Johnnie continues to raise awareness for the condition and was recently awarded Living with Neuroendocrine Cancer Hero 2025 by Neuroendocrine Cancer UK.
His eldest daughter Ellie, 24, spoke to Edinburgh Live after the family found out about his award. She branded him a ‘brilliant person’, and said that while life ‘hasn’t been fair’ to Johnnie – he continues to have a positive outlook on the world.
In his 20s, Johnnie was given his first diagnosis, and end up losing a leg to knee cancer. In the decade following, he was left unwell and had consistent problems with his health.
Cancer Research UK describes neuroendocrine cancers as ‘a group of cancers that develop in cells of the neuroendocrine system’. They add: “They can develop in different parts of the body, such as the stomach, bowel, pancreas or lungs.
“When cancer starts within neuroendocrine cells, it changes how the cells grow. And it can change how they work. They can grow out of control and might produce higher than normal levels of hormone.”
When the neuroendocrine cancer came, Johnnie told his family – including wife Evelyn and children Jamie, 26, Josh, 23, Sam, 18, and Maya, 11 – that he wanted to ‘do something positive’. He launched Johnnie’s journey, which started as an opportunity to raise awareness of his condition.
Johnnie’s Journey has supported fellow patients, helped families and fundraised for those who need it. He’s managed to raise funds to supply a drive-by foodbank, and has since raised thousands of pounds.
Speaking to Edinburgh Live, Ellie told us: “Nine years ago my dad was diagnosed for the second time, this time with neuroendocrine cancer. In his twenties, he had cancer in his knee and lost his leg.
“He was unwell for about ten years before the second diagnosis, constant problems in his stomach and things constantly causing him problems. Ever since then, he’s always told us kids that he wants to do something positive that can have a nice impact on people’s lives.
“He didn’t want to sit and feel sorry for himself. He wanted to use whatever time he had to do some good. Back in 2016, he was given a life expectancy of five years so he’s obviously way past that now. The treatment is limited, chemotherapy and things like that don’t even touch this kind of cancer.
“I don’t know if random is the right word to use, but it started off quite experimental. As time has gone on the treatment has improved. He’s got a lot of health issues from the first diagnosis, so this cancer can be a lot more treatable for some people but unfortunately he doesn’t fall in that category. They’re still learning as they go with this cancer, and a lot of research hasn’t really been done.
“He was getting something called mistletoe treatment, which when it first started was only available in Glasgow so we were travelling through for it.”
While Johnnie’s treatment has been brutal, Ellie told us he has ‘never once been the victim’. She continued: “He’s just a brilliant person. He’s amazing. It’s not that he wasn’t always a lovely person, because he was, but it was like something switched.
“You might think something like this would make someone more miserable but it’s never been like that. Not once in the nine years since his diagnosis. I’ve never once heard him be the victim, he’s just so positive. He’s got a proper can-do attitude.
“If someone needs something, he’ll be the one doing it. Over Christmas, he ended up in hospital on Boxing Day. He had a major infection in his gallbladder. They tried to do surgery but couldn’t, so he’ll probably have to go back in this year.
“He did so much for other people over Christmas and to come off that high and end up in hospital was a shame. But he’s doing a bit better, definitely in the last few days. We tried to give Christmas fundraising and stuff a bit of a miss because Dad’s health wasn’t great. He’s done it for the last five years, but he was really struggling.
“He just had to take a bit of a step back, but he was still out there helping people. We’ve helped families and done giveaways. Even when he says he’s ‘taking a step back’ he ends up doing loads. Of course he has days when everything is really hard. He’s still a bubbly, selfless person.
“It’s weird that somebody whose going through so much can just have a nice outlook on life, even when life’s not really been fair to him. He just took that path. He lights up any room he walks into, I think I get my humour from him. I’m lucky to have a dad like that.”
Johnnie was nominated for Neuroendocrine Cancer Hero 2025 by one of the followers of Johnnie’s Journey, and ‘never expected to win’. Ellie, however, feels it is ‘completely deserved’.
She told us: “A follower nominated him, and this one is so special because it’s directly linked to the type of cancer he has. I rallied the troops and got people voting, because he deserves it.
“Everyone that follows my dad knows his story, and people in Tranent rallied around him as well. People have seen him do lots of good.
“It’s nice because he’s being recognised for what he’s doing, so it’s a long time coming I think. He genuinely didn’t think he would win, he’s quite humble.”
When Johnnie discovered he was Neuroendocrine Cancer Hero 2025, he posted online: “I promise not to mention multi award winner at parties.
“A massive thank you to everyone who took the time to vote and share for me, I appreciate you all. I’m never quite sure what to say with this kind of thing.
“What I do know is I don’t do this alone. I have a team, wife, kids, family, friends and followers behind me, they are the ones who make this possible. I’ve said it before, I am no hero.”
You can follow Johnnie’s Journey here.
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