Patient stories

Megan Kelly was diagnosed with stage 4 Ewing sarcoma at the age of 18, following two years of poor health. Despite undergoing gruelling treatment, she passed away 18 months later in December 2020. In her memory, her family and closest friends set up Megan’s Rose of Hope, a charity dedicated to making a difference in the fight against childhood cancer. Here, Megan’s mum, Jane, shares her story and explains why supporting the ICR’s vital research is so important.

Rider McDowell’s son Errol was diagnosed with medulloblastoma, a fast-growing malignant brain tumour, when he was 12. Despite six years of intensive treatment, Errol passed away in 2018. Before he died, Errol was committed to raising money to fund more research into childhood cancer – and today, his younger brothers, Mac and Piers, continue his legacy, hoping to raise £1m for cancer research in the UK.

Jennifer Hollington, 58, who lives in Canada, was diagnosed with Stage 3c ovarian cancer in July 2020 and subsequently learned that she carries the BRCA2 gene mutation. She was treated with the drug olaparib, the discovery and development of which was underpinned by research at the Institute of Cancer Research (ICR). On World Cancer Day, she reveals how the work of scientists at the ICR in London is benefitting cancer patients like her beyond the UK.

Kate Wilson was diagnosed with advanced ovarian cancer at the age of 43 and discovered she was carrying a BRCA gene mutation. She was prescribed a targeted drug called olaparib and five years on the cancer is stable. Here she explains why, thanks to new treatments, advanced cancer patients like her are navigating a new landscape, one where the language we use has yet to catch up.

Sonia Bhandal was just 14 when she lost her mum to secondary breast cancer. Then at the age of 28, she found a malignant lump in her own breast. Shortly afterwards she discovered that she carries the BRCA2 gene mutation, putting her at an increased risk of developing various cancers. Today, exactly 29 years since scientists at The Institute of Cancer Research, London, identified the BRCA2 gene, Sonia, now 36, shares her story.

When Natasha, 51, was told she had stage 2 DCIS breast cancer in November 2018, she became the third woman in her family to receive such a diagnosis. Now nearly six years on and cancer free, Natasha shares her story.

Natalie Pearce, 52, was diagnosed with stage 3c ovarian cancer in November 2012. She subsequently discovered she carries the BRCA1 gene mutation, putting her at a higher risk of developing various cancers. Following surgery and treatment, Natalie has been cancer free since April 2013.

Jesse was two years old when he was diagnosed with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, a type of blood and bone marrow cancer, in November 2023. Now, a year since his diagnosis and thankfully in remission, Jesse’s mum, Polly, shares their story to mark World Children’s Day.