Young Lives vs Cancer

Young Lives vs Cancer We make sure children and young people with cancer get the right support at the right time. Welcome!

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he Young Lives vs Cancer page, even if their views are different to yours. Stay friendly and disagree respectfully.

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- Young Lives vs Cancer understands that community members may want to respectfully disagree or complain about a service via the comments on this page. We aim to reply to these quickly and to resolve matters offline. Community members who persistently complain via this community once their initial comment has been responded to or dealt with will have their comments removed from the page.

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- Please be aware that if we feel you are a Young Lives vs Cancer service user in a vulnerable position, or in need of additional support, we may consult our Young Lives vs Cancer social care team in order to help you. You can contact them for support via our website: https://www.younglivesvscancer.org.uk/what-we-do/day-to-day-support/live-chat/

We're delighted Bashaar enjoyed a magical visit to LEGOLAND Windsor with Merlin's Magic Wand Charity 💗
09/06/2026

We're delighted Bashaar enjoyed a magical visit to LEGOLAND Windsor with Merlin's Magic Wand Charity 💗

“I want to be the person that little me needed when she was lost and confused and didn’t understand why she was feeling ...
02/06/2026

“I want to be the person that little me needed when she was lost and confused and didn’t understand why she was feeling this way.”

Jaimie was diagnosed with a rare type of cancer at just eight years old. Now 20 years old and cancer-free, she uses her experience to raise awareness of the emotional impact cancer has on children and young people. She shares her story this .

She said: “Hi, my name is Jaimie. I recently started volunteering as a school speaker with Young Lives vs Cancer. This role means a lot to me as I am a childhood cancer survivor and I know just how scary and life altering a cancer diagnosis is, especially as a young person.

“There is often confusion, fear and uncertainty and life is put on hold as treatment begins and the young person is launched into a world where hospital becomes a second home.

“Cancer is a very scary and stressful thing to go through, not only physically but mentally too. It takes a toll on your mind and even after the cancer disappeared, that fear that I had been feeling did not. I felt out of control, as if I couldn’t trust my body anymore.

“This, combined with many other factors, created a perfect storm and led to me developing a severe eating disorder, anorexia nervosa, when I was 12 years old. I spent years in and out of hospital again, except this time the illness wasn’t physical; it was mental.

“I wanted to start volunteering with Young Lives vs Cancer because I want to use my experience to raise awareness of the effects of cancer, including the mental challenges many face even well after remission.

“I’ve always found that even just being able to relate to someone makes you feel less alone and that can be one of the most powerful things, especially because having cancer at a young age is very confusing and scary.

“If anyone reading this can relate to my story or is feeling lost, scared and unsure of the future then I want you to know that you are not alone. Please talk to those around you and be honest about how you’re feeling because you don’t have to cope with it all on your own.”

“I had to wait three months and then apply for benefits. You have to do the application, which is very long and takes a ...
27/05/2026

“I had to wait three months and then apply for benefits. You have to do the application, which is very long and takes a lot of thinking about which when you're unwell and on treatment is quite difficult to do”.

During her final year at university in Belfast, Rosie began experiencing symptoms including dizziness, unexplained bruising, nosebleeds, and fatigue. Eventually, she visited her GP, who ordered urgent blood tests. That night, police arrived at her student accommodation to es**rt her to hospital due to concerning results. Within 24 hours, Rosie had been diagnosed with leukaemia.

She immediately paused her studies and began treatment, which included two rounds of chemotherapy and a donor stem cell transplant. Along with physical side effects like skin reactions, fatigue, and long-term complications such as infertility and early menopause, Rosie faced a benefits system that left her waiting when she needed it the most.

As part of the UK Government’s review of the PIP system, Rosie has shared her views about how the process could be improved to help young people with cancer like her:

“I was informed that I wouldn't be able to apply [for benefits] until I had had my diagnosis for three months, by then I had finished chemo and was about to have my stem cell transplant, the final stage of my treatment. Once I was awarded PIP, I was well into the recovery from my transplant, meaning that I was unable to receive the support when I needed it most.

“Furthermore, the application is long and arduous. Having to fill out so many forms while on treatment, which for me caused fatigue and brain fog, was extremely taxing. It's the last thing you want to be doing while you are so unwell."

Despite the challenges, Rosie returned to university and completed her degree with First Class honours. She is now enrolled on a master’s degree at Cambridge University. Rosie continues to manage long-term effects and stresses the importance of peer support in cancer recovery.

Along with 12 leading cancer charities, we've written to the Minister in charge of the review into PIP, sharing the changes we'd like to see to create a fairer system that meets the needs of people like Rosie.

Where does hope happen? Right here! Just ask A Million Acts of Hope!There’s a lot of hope happening across Britain right...
21/05/2026

Where does hope happen? Right here! Just ask A Million Acts of Hope!

There’s a lot of hope happening across Britain right now. You just need to look for it.

As Week of Hope comes to a close, more than 1,000 hopeful events and activities have happened across cities, towns and villages in the UK. Communities have been coming together, showing up and making the world better for all of us.

Head to their profile to sign the biggest ever thank you card to the people that make hope happen ♥️

“Cancer affected me quite a lot. I just bottled it up, there were times I would cry to myself feeling alone, losing frie...
13/05/2026

“Cancer affected me quite a lot. I just bottled it up, there were times I would cry to myself feeling alone, losing friends along the way. I just felt trapped some days, sitting at home not doing anything other than thinking of when my next treatment was. I felt weak not only in my body but in my head as well.”

Ethan is an active person who loves sports, especially football. He had to temporarily give this up when he was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma at just 17 years old and underwent chemotherapy. This , he shares just how much cancer impacted his mental health.

Ethan said: “When I was told I had cancer I couldn’t hold back tears; it was like my life had gone. For the next several months I cried as I walked in and out the hospital. It took me a while to process as it was the worst day of my life.

“I used to scroll through my phone, seeing photos of friends together, carefree. It wasn’t that they had forgotten about me; they texted often during treatment to send their best wishes and love, but no one really understood what it felt like to face this.”

Ethan was able to lean on his Young Lives vs Cancer specialist social worker, Julia, who offered emotional support and practical help with things like grants and counselling.

He said: “Every Tuesday, Julia would come up to the ward and have a chat with me. I looked forward to seeing her, she was always there if I needed her. I could even message her, she helped me with grants and lots of other things I needed.”

Ethan, now cancer-free, has gone back to full-time work. He plays football when he can and even ran the 2025 London Marathon for Team Young Lives.

When asked what he would say to other young people going through cancer treatment, he said: “Find someone you trust to talk to. The feeling of being alone is not nice and once you’ve let your emotions out, it takes a huge weight off your shoulders.

“It’s always easier to talk to someone who’s gone through similar things to you as they’ll understand you more. Maintain a routine, keep as much normalcy as possible and always celebrate small milestones. Recognise what you’ve achieved, and it’ll give you a boost.”

“I would just say tears are all the love. If you've got tears, it's because you loved, and the one thing you will never ...
08/05/2026

“I would just say tears are all the love. If you've got tears, it's because you loved, and the one thing you will never regret, looking back, is how much you love them.”

Allen’s son Xander was diagnosed with a brain tumour and sadly died six and a half months later, aged six years old. This Dying Matters Awareness Week, Allen shares how he has coped with his grief, in case it can help other families who are experiencing bereavement.

He said: “Talking to other families is something I would massively advocate if you have that ability. I stayed in two of Young Lives vs Cancer’s Homes from Home, where I spoke to other parents going through similar experiences.

“When you're talking to other families who've had deaths or are going through difficult situations like cancer, it breaks down all the pretence. There’s a shared understanding you can feel in the room, and I think that's massively helpful.

“It’s been 10 months and one thing I've learned is that I actually love the tears. Sometimes my favourite part of any day are the tears, because they’re when I feel the closest to Xander. And so rather than shun and put them away, I can physically feel this love we shared and I am happy that the tears have reminded me.

“Xander’s mum Nic, and I are lucky in the sense that we don't have any regrets for the six and a half months we had. We didn't end up with as much time with Xander as we’d hoped, but that doesn't take away from the fact he was truly the most amazing gift that we could have ever hoped for. We still have the love we all shared even today; this gift we were given keeps giving.

“I think the advice is just seize the minute. Even if you don't have a terminal diagnosis, your kids aren't kids forever. Whatever you're doing, if you can afford an extra minute to have a conversation with them or understand them or sit with them or listen to them, then that's enough. I promise you won’t regret it.

“Eight weeks before he died, Xander said, ‘Daddy I’ve got a song’, and asked me to record him. He started singing, ‘Love, love, love is the bestest way to go.’ I shared the words at Xander’s funeral, and it helped me make sense of a world without him physically by my side.”

“At school I said to my mate that I was ill, I wasn’t joking but I said, ‘is it like cancer or something?’ I didn’t real...
30/04/2026

“At school I said to my mate that I was ill, I wasn’t joking but I said, ‘is it like cancer or something?’ I didn’t really think it was that.”

Dan was in sixth form, enjoying life, playing football and preparing for his A Levels when he first started to feel unwell. It took a while from first visit to the doctors to be referred to a specialist, which is when he was told he had lymphoma.

Throughout treatment, Dan and his mum spent a lot of time away from home, and just before Christmas 2023 Dan and his parents were sadly told his treatment wasn’t working.

Dan needed further treatment not funded by the NHS, so he started a fundraiser and, with help and generosity from family, friends and the local community, they successfully raised enough for him to have the treatment.

His Young Lives vs Cancer social worker provided support to Dan and his family every step of the way. From support to face the financial impact of travel to being someone to talk to. They also helped in getting Dan’s university place deferred for after he finished treatment. This was a huge help for Dan as he already felt like he was missing out on being with his friends during their last year of school, and that everyone else’s lives were going ahead whereas his was put on hold or going backwards.

He said: “…In a way I found out I was missing out less than I thought, because people started getting on with their lives started working, going to Uni and making new friends – and I think I will get that opportunity when I go to Uni because a lot of people I was mates with in sixth form ended up drifting and it made me realise maybe I didn’t miss as much as I thought I would.”

Dan is now in remission and doing well. During Teenage and Young Adult Cancer Awareness Month, Dan shared his story on the radio to raise awareness of the experiences young people with cancer face.

He said: “It was mainly the fear of missing out, everyone’s lives are going ahead whereas yours is put on hold or even put backwards. Missing out is not nice when you’re supposed to be out with your mates and making the most of these years because they’re supposed to be the best years of your life.”

Free summer adventures for young people living through and beyond cancer The EMCTrust offers exciting adventures help yo...
29/04/2026

Free summer adventures for young people living through and beyond cancer
The EMCTrust offers exciting adventures help young people (aged 8–24) rediscover what they are capable of after the trauma of cancer and treatment. They meet others who have been through something similar and make memories that last a lifetime. Everything is taken care of - travel, kit, food, and, most importantly, fun!

Spaces on the charity’s life-changing trips this summer are available now. Get more info and sign up here:
https://www.ellenmacarthurcancertrust.org/our-trips/first-time-sailing/

29/04/2026

This medal is for...

Feeling inspired to run for Team Young Lives at the 2027 London Marathon? Sign-up link in the comments below 👇

29/04/2026

After finishing the London Marathon, Leeds runner Liam was met with a sea of cheers from the other side of the tracks 💛

Liam ran in memory of his niece Freya, who sadly died last year after a rare brain tumour diagnosis. He ran for Young Lives vs Cancer, the charity that supported his family through it all.

Liam said: “This marathon represents more than just a physical challenge to me; it is a personal mission to honour Freya – to honour her bravery, courage, and fighting spirit that never wavered. Please join me by contributing in any way you can to a cause that provided our family with light in one of our darkest times and give hope to families who need it most.”

You can support Liam by donating to his Enthuse page: https://ow.ly/Uqk650YRege

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