Young people's stories

Tegan had just started at university when she was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma. She was treated on the Teenage Cancer Trust unit at St James’s in Leeds.

Harvey’s professional rugby career was cut short when he was diagnosed with a type of cancer called small round cell desmoplastic sarcoma. He was treated on the Teenage Cancer Trust unit at the Royal Marsden Hospital in Sutton.

Stephanie, from Bristol, was 24 when she was diagnosed with breast cancer in April 2020, in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. This is her story, in her own words.

Jack was diagnosed with testicular cancer in May 2020, aged 16. He was treated on the Teenage Cancer Trust unit at The Royal Marsden in London.

Lakita, a student from Manchester, was 20 when she was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma in July 2019. Teenage Cancer Trust have been there for Lakita throughout the coronavirus pandemic as she navigates life after cancer treatment.

Creative expression was hugely important to Cressi when she went through treatment for leukaemia. She’s been inspired to launch an arts magazine, featuring beautiful art and photography from young patients and creatives affected by cancer and coronavirus.

Isabella, from London, was diagnosed with a chordoma (a rare type of cancer that occurs in the bones of the base of the skull and spine) in October 2019. Youth Support Coordinator Angie helped her through proton beam therapy at The Christie in Manchester during lockdown.

Tania Shepheard became one of the first young people we ever supported when she was diagnosed with bone cancer in 1990. She was initially treated at University College London Hospital before being moved to Teenage Cancer Trust’s first unit at Middlesex Hospital.

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.