Kellie Newman

This September I'll be taking on Teenage Cancer Trusts Reading Challenge

In 2014, at just 18 years old, I was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia. 

Within 24 hours of that diagnosis, I found myself in the Teenage Cancer Trust unit at Southampton Hospital, where I would remain for the next 8 months undergoing treatment.

The unit was a game changer.

It provided private rooms in a modern, welcoming environment, giving patients the privacy to make the space their own; whether that meant decorating their room with personal belongings, surrounding themselves with their hobbies, or simply having somewhere that felt a little more like home.

It also meant my family and friends could stay with me and be part of my journey.

The staff were incredible, and the Teenage Cancer Trust coordinator on site became such an important part of my support network. They organised workshops and activities, helped with the endless paperwork for both me and my family (because life still happens, even when you have cancer), and provided financial support towards things like fuel and other costs.

At a time when everything else felt completely out of my control, having that support made such a huge difference.

Without Teenage Cancer Trust, my story may have been very different.

After almost 18 months in remission, unfortunately, my leukaemia returned - and so did our suitcases back to the unit.

This time, I spent six months as an inpatient receiving intensive treatment, chemotherapy and radiotherapy to prepare me for a life-saving bone marrow transplant.

Teenage Cancer Trust is a charity that goes above and beyond to support young people and their families through what can be one of the most terrifying and difficult experiences imaginable.

This reading challenge is my little way of giving something back.

I want to raise as much as I can so that Teenage Cancer Trust can continue providing the support, spaces, activities and practical help that made such a difference to me - and so they can be there for the next young person and their family who suddenly find themselves facing cancer.

Cancer is a *insert swear word here*

But charities like Teenage Cancer Trust are what make a difference. 💗

So, this September, I’m going to read my way through a challenge, hopefully discover some new favourite books along the way, and raise some money for a charity that helped me through one of the hardest chapters of my life.

If you’re able to donate, share my challenge, or even just cheer me on from the sidelines, I’d be incredibly grateful.

Thank you. 🩷📚