Young people's stories

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. 

Hiral was 21 when she was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, and was treated at the Teenage Cancer Trust unit at UCLH. Youth Support Coordinator Marlies helped Hiral during her chemotherapy and when she became very ill while on maintenance treatment.

Amir, from Cheshire, was 14 when he was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. During his treatment, he was supported by Rob, a Teenage Cancer Trust Youth Support Coordinator, who also enabled him to sit his exams in hospital.

Ruby was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in 2019 and had treatment on the Teenage Cancer Trust unit in Leicester through lockdown.

"Finding out you have cancer when you're 20 is absolutely terrifying."

"I'm hoping to be well for Christmas so that I can spend time with my family and friends. After everything that has happened over the last year, it will be nice to be able to relax and celebrate."

"When you first get a diagnosis, your mind blows up and you can't focus on everything going on. But everyone has been amazing and all of the support I have received has been brilliant."

"I lost a lot of confidence and found it extremely difficult to hold a conversation with someone, without talking about cancer."

"As soon as I heard the news I threw up from shock.”