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Personal stories

Showing 12 out of 39 results
A man putting up a picture of two men in suits.
  • Personal Stories
  • Science & Technology

A lasting legacy after melanoma: Mark’s story

When Dave Sims’s brother Mark was diagnosed with terminal melanoma, our study helped him leave a lasting legacy. When Dave Sims’s brother Mark was diagnosed with terminal melanoma, our study helped him leave a lasting legacy.

by Helen Renshaw | Personal stories | 25 September 2025

25 September 2025

A composite image showing two children and one young person during their cancer treatment. On the left, three-year-old Max is sat on his hospital bed smiling. He is dressed in Paw Patrol trousers and a hospital gown with a cartoon alphabet design. In the centre, another toddler, Callum is stood in a hospital corridor dressed as a Christmas elf. He has a tube into his nose to provide extra oxygen. He is smiling broadly. On the right, 15-year old Nalia is sleeping in her hospital bed. Her younger brother Ellis is curled up next to her.

To mark Childhood Cancer Awareness Month 2025, three parents told us how their children were diagnosed with cancer, and what happened next. To mark Childhood Cancer Awareness Month 2025, three parents told us how their children were diagnosed with cancer, and what happened next.

by Tom Bourton, Tim Gunn | Personal stories | 1 September 2025

1 September 2025

A composite image showing Alfred, Ali and Lucy, who shared their stories to help show what's needed from the National Cancer Plan.

These four stories of people affected by cancer help show exactly what England needs from the UK Government's National Cancer Plan. These four stories of people affected by cancer help show exactly what England needs from the UK Government's National Cancer Plan.

by Amal Iman, Tom Bourton | Personal stories | 4 August 2025

4 August 2025

Pictures of Taylor, Zaid and Eilidh in hospital during their cancer treatment.

Four teenagers and young adults tell us what it's like to receive a lifechanging cancer diagnosis while your life is still taking shape. Four teenagers and young adults tell us what it's like to receive a lifechanging cancer diagnosis while your life is still taking shape.

by Tom Bourton, Tim Gunn | Personal stories | 4 April 2025

4 April 2025

George and his parents stand by the bell in hospital surrounded by medical staff

At just two years old, George became the youngest person in the world to be treated with the nanoknife. For the courage he showed through his treatment, he received one of our Star Awards. At just two years old, George became the youngest person in the world to be treated with the nanoknife. For the courage he showed through his treatment, he received one of our Star Awards.

by Lynn Daly | Personal stories | 11 December 2024

11 December 2024

Headshot of poet and author Joseph Aaron Coelho OBE FRSL

Renowned children’s poet and author, Joseph Coelho, has published a special poem inspired by children from across the UK who shared their cancer stories for the launch of our Star Awards. Renowned children’s poet and author, Joseph Coelho, has published a special poem inspired by children from across the UK who shared their cancer stories for the launch of our Star Awards.

by Amy Warnock | Personal stories | 4 December 2024

4 December 2024

Lina speaks to Dr Hugo De La Pena who is looking at cancer scans on a computer screen

Lina tells the story of how a newly available targeted drug helped slow down the growth of faulty BRCA-driven cancer in her body, giving her more time to spend with her loved ones. Lina tells the story of how a newly available targeted drug helped slow down the growth of faulty BRCA-driven cancer in her body, giving her more time to spend with her loved ones.

by Elisa Mitchell, Amy Warnock | Personal stories | 28 October 2024

28 October 2024

Michael, on a large screen, speaking at Cancer Research UK's Early Diagnosis conference

Michael, who spoke at our early diagnosis conference this year, tells the story of his two cancer diagnoses and gives his perspective on the importance of early diagnosis Michael, who spoke at our early diagnosis conference this year, tells the story of his two cancer diagnoses and gives his perspective on the importance of early diagnosis

by Michael Anderson | Personal stories | 10 October 2024

10 October 2024