Young people's stories

Ella knows that cancer doesn’t just affect the person who’s diagnosed – it affects the whole family. Her brother Toby was treated for lung cancer on our Cambridge unit, but sadly died in 2018. She tells us how they remember Toby as life changes without him.

Ben was diagnosed with testicular cancer aged 19, while away at university in Chester. He was treated on the Teenage Cancer Trust unit at Clatterbridge, and then transferred to our unit at the Bristol Royal Infirmary to be closer to his family.

Lily, from Banbury, was 20 when she was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma. She was helped by Teenage Cancer Trust at The Churchill Hospital in Oxford.

Isaac, 15, was diagnosed with a brain tumour aged 11. He was helped by Teenage Cancer Trust at Birmingham Children’s Hospital.

Rachael, from Belfast, was diagnosed with lymphoma in December 2019 after five months of experiencing various symptoms. She was looked after at Antrim Area Hospital by Teenage Cancer Trust Nurse, Kerrie. 

Ashley Williams (26), and her fiancé Jonny raised £3,000 for Teenage Cancer Trust by cycling from London to Paris. Ashley, an intensive care nurse, talks about how she has learned to deal with the lasting effects of her cancer treatment, with Jonny’s support. 

Charlie (19) was diagnosed with a brain tumour after suffering from severe headaches for six months. She was treated at the Teenage Cancer Trust unit at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham.

After being diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma at 23, Jamie was told to shield from coronavirus. But that didn’t stop him getting involved with our work, by joining us on a call with the Shadow Minister for Health and Social Care.

Alex was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in June 2019 aged 13. She is currently on maintenance treatment, shared between her local hospital in Coventry and Birmingham Children’s Hospital. 

Mitch, from West Cumbria, was diagnosed with germ cell cancer in May 2020. He was treated on the Teenage Cancer Trust unit at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle.