Hello, my name is Leon, and I was diagnosed with cancer when I was 21.
Before my diagnosis I was a really active person. I played football and went running but in 2023 I started to feel unwell.
I was on holiday in Majorca and Ibiza when I really started to suspect something was wrong. I had been staying with family and went to meet friends in Ibiza but I just wasn’t myself.
Before the holiday, I’d noticed a lump on my neck but presumed it was something like a pulled muscle. I had been finding work as a glass operator more difficult, and colleagues had noticed I wasn’t myself.
While we were in Ibiza I actually stayed in the last few nights while my friends went out. I just didn’t feel right. I went back to Majorca and my Auntie who lives there booked flights for me to come home early and I made an appointment to see my GP.
I started preparing for the worst as I knew something wasn’t right and following a biopsy and some other tests I was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a cancer that develops in the lymphatic system. Despite having a feeling something really wasn’t right I was still shocked to be told I had cancer.
The next few days were a whirlwind, and I very quickly started my treatment at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre – Liverpool. I was really impressed by how quickly they got on with it.
I was treated in the Teenage and Young Adults (TYA) service, and I can’t speak highly enough of the staff there. The nurses are real unsung heroes – the absolute best at what they do.
I learned that Clatterbridge Cancer Charity support the TYA with social activities, including Pizza Thursday which was great. They really helped get people together. Having cancer as a young person can be very isolating.
I was in Clatterbridge once every two weeks for chemotherapy.
It was hard seeing my friends and other people my age living their lives and doing things I couldn’t do, moving on with their careers, and at times I felt like my life was put on pause during my treatment.
My mum Trisha was my rock all the way through and together with the nurses on the TYA they kept me going. Mum did the Glow Green Night Walk for the Charity. I also couldn’t have done this without by Nan and Grandad Ronnie and Frank, they are my world as are my siblings Luke, Louix and Luna.
I tried to stay active and carried on playing football when I could and went to watch Everton when I felt okay. I carried on with my driving lessons and even passed my test while I was on treatment. I also learned to play guitar and practicing helped me during treatment.
I had been working as a glass operator before my diagnosis and everyone at my work was brilliant, but I had always wanted to work on the railways. I kept that a goal during my treatment.
I finished my treatment in May 2024, and I have been focusing on myself and working on my health since then. I recently started a Level Two NVQ in rail engineering and track maintenance.
Clatterbridge and the TYA do an amazing job helping people like me and I saw firsthand the benefit of the Charity to patients.
Thanks to Clatterbridge Cancer Charity and their supporters Your Tour, I have been able to watch Everton twice in 2025 and was at the derby against Liverpool to see the late goal for the 2-2 draw which was brilliant as I was able to go with my brother which was very special.
Clatterbridge Cancer Charity is so important and helps keep everyone going and brings them together in the TYA. I can’t thank them enough.
