What cancer were you diagnosed with?

Burkitt's lymphoma


What age were you diagnosed?

19


What has helped you to thrive?

My family, friends and course faculty have been absolutely brilliant and support me every day. Cancer has been a living nightmare and the most difficult thing I have ever been through. Now, I have really learnt to appreciate my life in a different way and not take it for granted.


Sophie's Story

I was 19 and just starting my first year of university. After feeling unwell for a few weeks I went to my GP and within 2 weeks I was receiving a cancer diagnosis of Stage 4 Burkitts lymphoma. I was in total shock, and had to leave uni to spend 6 months as an inpatient in hospital receiving aggressive treatment. I was lucky enough to have been on a young adults Teenage Cancer Trust award which had fantastic and dedicated members of staff, who gave their time and energy towards making us young people as comfortable and cared for as possible. I got the all-clear in December 2016 and I have now been in remission for 1 year. I'm back at uni (studying theatre in education) and I am slowly settling back into student life and loving every minute.