Dad believed he was dealing with acid reflux before given devastating diagnosis

It’s easy to dismiss heartburn and acid reflux as minor annoyances — something doctors sometimes seem to do almost by default.

At least, that’s how it felt for Zack, after several visits to his GP.

Back then, he was prescribed the usual medication for acid reflux, and life seemed to go on.

But in July 2025, everything changed.

Zack Van Aarde, a father-of-two from England, collapsed on the stairs and began vomiting blood. It was a terrifying wake-up call that his symptoms were far more serious than anyone had realized. What started as what seemed like a common digestive issue turned out to be something far more sinister.

Suspected stomach ulcer

After being woken by the commotion, Zack’s wife, Jess, rushed him to Derriford Hospital in Plymouth, UK, for further tests. At first, doctors suspected a stomach ulcer, but additional examinations revealed a far more devastating reality.

An endoscopy — a procedure in which a camera is guided down the throat —confirmed that Zack had stage four esophageal cancer.

Zack, an account executive at a cyber security firm, told Daily Mail:

”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 give myself the best chance.”

His wife Jess recalled the terrifying events of that morning in July:

”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.”

Following his diagnosis, Zack began chemotherapy and will continue treatment every two weeks, with regular scans and blood tests to monitor whether the 6cm tumor has shrunk and if surgery could become an option.

To help support the family while Zack is unable to work, he and Jess have launched a GoFundMe. The funds are intended to cover living expenses as well as ”additional therapies” not available through the NHS, which the family hope will aid Zack’s recovery alongside chemotherapy.

10th most common cancer worldwide

It’s important to note that doctors strongly advise patients to consult medical professionals before pursuing alternative treatments.

Zack is actively contributing to the fundraising, pledging to run one mile for every £10 ($13.40) donated on his GoFundMe page.

”Chemotherapy kills all the cells—good and bad ones,” Zack said.

”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 increase 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 me the best chance for my family.”

Esophageal cancer is more common in men and is strongly linked to risk factors such as alcohol consumption and smoking. It is the 10th most common cancer worldwide, according to Cleveland Clinic.

The disease begins in the tissues of the esophagus, the long muscular tube that carries food from the throat to the stomach. Often, tumors don’t cause noticeable symptoms until the cancer has advanced and spread, making early detection challenging.

It’s incredibly sad to read about the battle Zack is going through with this type of cancer. This is an incredibly tough time for him. Let’s send him and his family all the love and strength we can — and show him that he’s not alone in this fight.