Archives: Stories
John’s Story – “Eight weeks after running a marathon I was on chemotherapy. It was a whirlwind of a time.”
John was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lyphoma four weeks after running the Belfast Marathon. After treatment, he struggled and fell out of love with exercise until his CLIC Sargent social worker encouraged him.
Jamie’s story – “Liz calls me up once a week and has a chat with me, sees how I’m doing, and helps get my mind off everything for a bit”
Jamie was diagnosed with Leukaemia at 19 and, after the cancer developed, he went on to have a stem cell transplant at 22.
Leo’s story – “I’m a million percent more worried about him at the moment”
Leo was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) in February last year when he was 4 years old. Here, Leo’s mum Lisa shares their story of what treatment is like while the UK is in lock down.
Xander’s Story – Making precious memories and living with cancer in lockdown
Xander, 3, from Solihull, was diagnosed with a Grade III Anaplastic Ependymoma in July 2019. His parents first suspected a brain tumour after matching Xander’s symptoms to HeadSmart’s symptom card. Sadly after multiple surgeries and treatment for the brain tumour, the family have been told to make what memories they can together.
Edith and Lewis’s story – “Cancer showed us how strong people can be and it just made us love each other even more.”
Edith was just four-years-old when she was diagnosed with cancer. Now seven, Edith and her family are counting down the days to the end of her treatment – and to her dad Lewis taking on the Virgin Money London Marathon for CLIC Sargent.
Sinead’s story – coping with early menopause after being diagnosed with ovarian cancer aged 21
Sinead from Belfast was just 21 years old when she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer and had both her ovaries removed. Treatment caused her to experience early menopause and she was unable to spend time with her friends and be financially independent. Here, she tells her story.
Michelle’s story – “I wish someone had told me that I didn’t have to stay strong or positive all the time”
Michelle was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma in June 2017. She shares her thoughts on her mental health going through diagnosis and treatment and how she's learning what her new normal is.
Kat’s Story – “I know I have a terminal diagnosis, but Charlotte, my CLIC Sargent Social Worker, has given me life.”
Kat, 24, was told she had terminal cancer after more than a year of being misdiagnosed. In the year that followed, she began to feel completely isolated after her partner left her and she lost her two best friends. CLIC Sargent stepped in and helped her to regain her confidence.
“Christmas will be special for us this year, with it being at home as opposed to in a hospital makes it all the more special.”
Ruby was just three years old when she was diagnosed with anaplastic large-cell lymphoma – and cancer. This Christmas, Ruby is starring in Signet’s Pebbles the CLIC Sargent Christmas bear campaign. Here, Ruby’s dad Paul shares her story.
“Her headstrong character and ability to say things as they were helped her to deal with everything – and stick two fingers up to cancer and just live.”
Mum Sara’s beautiful daughter Emily passed away aged 13, after she was diagnosed with an inoperable glioblastoma brain tumour in 2015. The family had three years of making memories with Emily before she passed away last year. As a mum of two, Sara shares their family story this National Grief Awareness Week.
