Personal cancer stories

Dame Deborah James, known to many as 'Bowelbabe' was diagnosed with bowel cancer in December 2016, aged 35. Dame Deborah sadly died in June 2022, after setting up the Bowelbabe Fund in May 2022.

Glenn was a fit and active 44 year old when he was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer. He underwent rounds of chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgeries before sadly passing away in May 2024.

At the age of 18, Harry was diagnosed with glioblastoma, after experiencing a seizure one Friday evening in October 2021. Harry is receiving palliative care after his scans in August 2022 showed a new glioblastoma.

In 2020 Hughie, was diagnosed with Giant Cell Rich Osteosarcoma and had six rounds of chemotherapy before getting the all-clear. Sadly a few months later the cancer returned and he was told it was terminal.

Julius, was diagnosed with myeloma in 2019. He had six months of chemo in 2019 and then had a stem cell transplant in July 2020 before starting on a maintenance treatment called lenalidomide.

Kaiden was just seven when he was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2022. He underwent surgery and chemotherapy but unfortunately relapsed in March 2024 and he restarted chemotherapy.

Marcia, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2022 and started months of treatment including chemotherapy and radiotherapy and has shared her experience on social media.

In 2016, Maureen started experiencing extreme headaches and was diagnosed with diffuse large B cell lymphoma so she joined the MARIETTA clinical trial, which we funded.

Matthew, a father of two, was diagnosed with an incurable astrocytoma brain tumour in 2023. He has undergone surgery, radiotherapy and also chemotherapy which is due to finish in December 2024.

Sal was diagnosed with breast cancer and had chemotherapy which worked. Sadly, she was later diagnosed with stage 4 bile duct cancer and passed away in 2020.

Tiffany was diagnosed with adenocarcinoma in September 2021. She has had chemotherapy, chemo-radiation and is awaiting surgery.