Steph's Fundraising Page

My name is Steph Heyes, I am 17 and I was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia on the 5th of April 2009 two days after I had broken up from the Easter holidays. I had never imagined that the Friday I broke up from school would be my last day there for six months. I had been feeling perfectly fine previous to the diagnosis, doing things I loved such as swimming, and P.E at school. However, I started getting pains in my joints and becoming very lethargic. I could hardly walk or move my neck and a lump formed on my collar bone – something wasn’t right. I went to get checked out at the hospital, and they told me they would phone to inform me if anything was wrong. I woke up the next day and there had been no phone call, so my family presumed all was well. Later, the phone rang. The doctor told my dad to take me to the hospital immediately and bring a few members of family with me. ‘What was wrong with me?’ I thought to myself. I was frightened. Once I... more

My name is Steph Heyes, I am 17 and I was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia on the 5th of April 2009 two days after I had broken up from the Easter holidays. I had never imagined that the Friday I broke up from school would be my last day there for six months.

I had been feeling perfectly fine previous to the diagnosis, doing things I loved such as swimming, and P.E at school. However, I started getting pains in my joints and becoming very lethargic. I could hardly walk or move my neck and a lump formed on my collar bone – something wasn’t right. I went to get checked out at the hospital, and they told me they would phone to inform me if anything was wrong. I woke up the next day and there had been no phone call, so my family presumed all was well. Later, the phone rang. The doctor told my dad to take me to the hospital immediately and bring a few members of family with me. ‘What was wrong with me?’ I thought to myself. I was frightened.

Once I arrived and had been led into a room, I was lying on the hospital bed anxiously with my parents by my side. ‘I’m afraid we have some bad news Stephanie.’ The doctor informed me. I could see tears form in my parents’ eyes. My heart froze. ‘We think you have leukaemia.’ Leukaemia? Me? Cancer? What was going to happen to me? I was devastated, and I had never been so scared; it took me a while for it to actually sink, as it felt so surreal.

I was rushed to Manchester Children’s Hospital the next day for a bone marrow test to see if I definitely had leukaemia. Unfortunately I did. This was the moment where I realised I had to stay strong, and be a fighter for a very long time. From the diagnosis came shock, devastation and fright. However, there also came the strongest side of me I had ever seen in my life. It was happening to me, and the chemotherapy was the only thing I had to rely on, and pray to God it would save me. This was the moment where I realised that from that point on, the beginning of a life changing journey was just starting.

I am now in remission after completing treatment in August 2009 and still go for check ups and heart scans. By donating just a small sum of money you will be making it go a long long way. Please help support children affected by cancer!

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