Emmerdale star Fiona Wade has reached out to a fan after making a heartfelt plea on social media as she opened up about a cause close to her heart.
The 43-year-old actress, who portrays Priya Sharma, the sister of Nikhil and Jai Sharma, first appeared on the ITV soap in November 2011. She has since become a firm favourite amongst fans and has been involved in a number of major storylines.
Priya has been struggling with confidence issues since she suffered life-changing burns earlier this year when she was attacked by murderous Meena Jutla, however, viewers have seen the character recently make huge steps in her recovery.
READ MORE: ITV Emmerdale's Lisa Riley teases Mandy and Paddy getting back together
The actress took to Instagram on Tuesday to make a heartfelt plea to her 98.3k followers. Sharing a short clip, Fiona explained: "I am patron of the [Oesophageal Patients Association] charity, this is a charity that is very close to my heart so I am very pleased to be supporting this year's Reflux Awareness week on behalf of OPA", reports the Liverpool Echo.
43-year-old Fiona added: "Please follow @opacancercharity for more information and please help spread the word so we can keep raising awareness for this very complex disease".
The comments section was quickly flooded with support as fans took the opportunity to share their own stories. One fan commented: "Thank you Fiona, had a big operation for Oesophageal Cancer last year due to reflux and heartburn last year, I was one of the lucky ones. Thank you so much for putting your name and hard work for this. I will be forever grateful for the NHS".
Fiona reached out to offer her support to the fan, replying: "I’m so sorry you’ve had to go through so much, I wish you well and so happy that you’re better now. Sending love".
The cause is close to Fiona's heart as she sadly lost her dad, Colin, when she was just 24-years-old to oesophageal cancer.
The actress said she had never heard of this type of cancer before which is why she decided to team up with the Oesophageal & Gastric Cancer Charity (OPA) and became its patron.
In a tribute to her dad, she said: "He was such an amazing person, the best father I could ever wish for and it was so sad and shocking when he was diagnosed. I had never heard of this type of cancer before and I always feel to this day that if we had been more aware of oesophageal cancer or reflux disease then for sure earlier diagnosis would have made a huge difference and maybe saved his life.
"Early diagnosis by spreading awareness is absolutely key in saving lives from this cancer, so please help us to carry on doing all we can to make people more aware and help us to save lives and to support and reassure everyone who needs our help."
On the 10-year-anniversary of his death, she said on Instagram: "Can't believe it's been 10 years since I lost my amazing dad. Think of u everyday, and you're still the most beautiful person I've ever known.
"You have the purest soul, Such a wonderful father to me, I'm so lucky to have had you in my life. I love you."
You can visit our Emmerdale homepage to find the latest gossip about the soap and its stars.
Read next:
